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THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN 

NATURALIST 


VOLUME 13 
1974-1977 


Published by the 

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN NATURALISTS’ CLUB 
PERTH 


CONTENTS OF VOLUME 13 


No. 1, July, 1974 

The Birds of the Now Non-existent Causeway Salt Marshes, Perth, 
W.A. By M. K. Tarburton 

Birds of the Gibb Rock Area. By E. H. Sedgwick . 

Notes on the Herbaceous Vegetation of the Eucla District, W.A. 

By B. M. J. Hussey . 

A Migration of Vanessa kershawi (McCoy) (Lepidoptera: Nympha- 
lidac) in Western Australia. By C. N. Smithers 

Mecoptera as Vectors—a New Record. By G. J. Keighery. 

Report on a Visit to Dirk Hartog Island, August-September 1973, 
with some Observations on the Fauna and Flora. By B. A. and 
A. G. Wells . 


Page 

1 

7 

14 

16 

17 

19 


From Field and Study: Absence of the Pallid Cuckoo at Merredin, 

1973; Avian-derived Phosphate from Inland Western Australia 24 


Nos. 2/3, March 31, 1975 

Zonal Feeding in the Birds of Culeenup Island, Yundurup. By 

Allen Keast . 25 

“Miss North’s Tree,” Warren National Park. By D. L. Serventy and 

G. G. Smith . 29 

The Breeding Burrow of the Banded Ant-eater or Numbat (Myreme- 

cobius fasciatus). By P. Christensen . 32 

Wildfowl seen at Lake Claremont (Butler’s Swamp) in the Springs of 
1972 and 1974. By K. Emory, I. R. Lantzke, G. L. Lambert and 

F. Osborne . 34 

An Abandoned Aboriginal Camp Site, near Paraburdoo, Western 

Australia. By G. B. Whitfield . 37 

Observations on the Breeding of the Long-necked Tortoise, Chelodina 

oblonga. By Diane Nicholson . 42 

The Flora of Hunt’s Dam Reserve, Merredin. By Mrs. M. B. Mills .... 44 

Parallel Evolution of Floral Structures in Darwinia (Myrtaceae) and 

Pimelea (Thymcleaceae). By G. L Keighery . 46 

Some Field Observations on Nuytsm jloribunda (Labill.) R.Br. By 

Thomas Gobel 50 

An Observation of the Pheasant-tailed Jacana in Western Australia. 

By G. M. Storr and R. E. Johnstone . 60 


From Field and Study: The Black Tern near Perth; Cockatiel in the 
Wheatbelt; A Recent Breeding Record of Charadrius melanops 
in the Metropolitan Area; A Further Record of Little Egret, 
Egretta garzetta, in the South-West; Co-operative Nesting Be¬ 
haviour in Little Wood-Swallow; Graphinrn Butterflies at Koolan 
Island; Incursion of Painted Finches into the North-Eastern 
Goldfields; An Observation of the White Wagtail (Motacilla 
alba) in Western Australia; Additions to the Kalbarri Bird List; 
Birds and the Total Eclipse—Observations from Albany; De¬ 
parture Date of the Bridled Tern in Shark Bay; Discovery of the 
Western Whipbird at Hopetoun; A Third Nesting Station of the 


Pelican in Peel Inlet 61 

Obituary—Bruce Shipway . 68 


u 

















No. 4, November 30, 1975 

The Citrine Spider: a New Genus of Trapdoor Spider (Mygalomor- 

phae: Dipluridae). By Barbara York Main . 73 

Additions to the Fauna of Barrow Island, W.A. By W. H. Butler ... 78 

Breeding Systems of the Western Australian Flora. 1. Triglochin L. 

(Juncaginaceac). By G. J. Keighery . 81 

Urea from Wilgie Mia Cave, W.A., and a Note on the Type Locality 

of Urea. By P. J. Bridge . 85 

A Molluscan Intermediate Host to Fasciola hepatica Linnaeus Feral 
in South-Western Australia. By P. N. Chalmer and G. W. 
Kendrick . 87 

Some Aspects of Aboriginal Occupation Sites in the Perth Metro¬ 
politan Area. By B. Blurton and P. Randolph . 88 

Presentation of Information in Biological Surveys of National Parks. 

By F. G. Smith . 90 

Dixon Island; an Aboriginal Site in Danger. By K. Palmer . 92 

Nesting of Banded Stilts at Lake Ballard. By C. F. H. Jenkins .... 94 

Observations on Flies of the Family Milichiidae Cleaning Araneus 

and Nephila Spiders. By R. P. McMillan . 96 


No. 5, April 14, 1976 

The Avon: Faunal and Other Notes on a Dying River in South- 

Western Australia. By G. W. Kendrick . 97 

New Breeding Records of the Banded Stilt in Western Australia. By 

N. Kolichis . 114 

The Noisy Scrub-bird—Fact and Fiction. By F. N. Robinson and 

G. T. Smith . 119 

From Field and Study: Field Wren in the Albany Area; Redshank on 

North-West Coast; Moulting Mountain Ducks on Lake Preston 123 
Corrections . 124 


No. 6, August 31, 1976 

The Reptiles of Barrow Island. By L. A. Smith . 125 

Bird Notes from a Winter Visit to Eclipse Island, Western Australia. 

By P. J. Fullagar and G. F. van Tets . 136 

From Field and Study: A Further Record of Sminthopsis longicaudata 
(Marsupiala, Dasyuridae); Incubation Period of the Pied Honey- 
eater, Certhionyx variegatus; First Record of the Kerguelen 
Diving-Petrel in Australia; King Penguin Egg Washed Ashore in 
Western Australia; Breeding of the Larger Spiny-tailed Skink; 
Predation on Stigmodera (Themognatha) tibialis by a Fly. 144 

iii 












No. 7, November 30, 1976 

The Shark Bay Mouse Pseudomys praeconis and other Mammals on 
Bernier island, Western Australia. By A. C. Robinson, J. F. 
Robinson, C. H. S. Watts and P. R. Bavcrstock 149 

Breeding Systems in the Western Australian Flora. II. Pollination of 

Diplolacna and Chorilaena (Rutaceae). By G. J. Keighcry 156 
Avifauna of Black Point-Cape Beaufort Area, S.W. Australia. By 

Ian Abbott . . 158 

A Survey of Terrestrial Vertebrates in the Carnarvon Region, W.A. 

By M. G. Brooker and A. J. Estbergs 160 

Breeding of the White-tailed Black Cockatoo in Captivity. By D. A. 

Saunders . 171 

Cladophora, Eutrophication and the Peel Inlet. By B. Dell 172 

From Field and Study: Galahs and Little Corellas in the Claremont/ 
Cottesloe Area; Little Wood-Swallow at Ellendale; Dusky Moor¬ 
hen at Leonora; Singing Bushlark in the North-eastern Gold¬ 
fields; Red Plumed Pigeon in the Carnarvon Ranges; Marsh 
Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatalis) near Leonora; Supplementary 


Notes on Turtledoves, Streptopelia, in Western Australia; Move¬ 
ments of the Spotted Pardalote 173 


No. 8, June, 1977 

Ejah Breakaways, Mileura, Cue, as an Aboriginal Home. By S. J. 

J. F. Davies, T. A. Knight, G. H. Pfitzner and C. P. S. de Rebeira 177 
The Wanderer Butterfly at Bunbury and other Parts of the South- 
West, and a New Food Plant. By L. E. Koch, B. Dell and G. J. 
Keighery 183 

Status of the Purple-crowned Wren and Buff-sided Robin in Western 

Australia. By L. A. Smith and R. E. Johnstone 185 

Birds of Bedout Island—a Visit in May 1972. By T. E. Bush and 

G. A. Lodge 189 

Birds of Bedout Island—a Visit in May 1975. By Nicholas Kolichis 191 
Notes on Kimberley Birds. By W. H. Butler 194 

Observations on the Distribution of Bird Species on Small Islands 

near Perth. By I. Abbott . 196 

The Collection of Poplar Rust Spores by Honey-Bees. By B. Dell 199 
Root Parasitism of Hakca sulcata by Nuytsia jloribimda. By B. 

Lamont . 201 


From Field and Study: Early Arrival of the White-winged Triller; 
White-capped Albatross off Fremantle; The Short-tailed Shear¬ 
water in South-Western Australia; Swarming Ants; The Biology 
and Burrow of a Salt Lake Wolf Spider, Lycosa salifodina; Black¬ 
eared Cuckoo in the Perth Metropolitan Area; Acrobatics of 
the White-tailed Black Cockatoo in hot air pillars; Spotted Har¬ 
rier breeding in the Mukinbudin area; Observation of a Ground 
Parrot in the Cape Arid National Park; Notes on a stranded 
Pygmy Sperm Whale from Broome; First Australian Record 
of the Pintail Snipe (Gallinago stenura); Black-headed Gull at 
Geraldton; Musk Lorikeets at Alfred Cove; Breeding Records of 


the Grey Honeyeater . 203 

Excursion—Whicher Range-Donnybrook Sunklands 211 

Index . 217 


IV 












WESTERN AUSTRALIAN NATURALISTS’ CLUB INC. 

Naturalists’ Hall, 63-65 Merriwa Street, Nedlands 6009. 


OFFICE 

Patron: 

The Hon. Sir Albert Wolff, 
K.C.M.G. 

President: 

1974- 75: Mr. John Dell 

1975- 77: Mr. John Dell 
1977-78: Mr. K. F. Kenncally 

Vice-Presidents: 

1974- 75: Miss B. M. J. Hussey and 
Mr. K. F. Kenncally 

1975- 77: Miss B. M. J. Hussey and 
Mr. K. F. Kenneally 

1977-78: Miss B. M. J. Hussey and 
Mr. John Dell 

Hon. Secretary: 

1974- 75: Mr. M. T. Millard 

1975- 77: Mr. Otto Mueller 
1977-78: Mr. Otto Mueller 

Hon. Treasurer: 

1974- 75: Miss L. Serventy 

1975- 77: Miss L. Serventy (act¬ 
ing); Mr. John R. Gardner 

1977-78: Mr. John R. Gardner 


BEARERS 

Hon. Librarian 

1974-78: Miss E. Kniep 

Hon. Editor: 

1974-78: Dr. D. L. Serventy 

Council: 

1974- 75: Mrs Alma de Rebeira, 
Miss V. M. Bristowe, Miss Lola 
Broadhurst, Messrs. Edwin Dell, 
Ganc Doyle, Otto Mueller and 
Michael Southwell-Keely. 

1975- 77: Miss L. Serventy, Messrs. 
Edwin Dell, Gane Doyle, R. E. 
Johnstone, M. T. Millard and 
Michael Southwell-Keely. 

1977-78: Messrs. Edwin Dell, 
Gane Doyle, R. E. Johnstone, 
M. T. Millard, D. J. McMillan, 
Barry Muir. 


LIST OF MEMBERS 

Members’ interests, as recorded by them in a questionnaire, are 
indicated by the following symbols: A., Arachnids; B., Birds; Bot., Botany; 
C., Conchology; E., Ethnology; F., Fishes; G., General; Geogr., Geography; 
Geol., Geology; L, Insects; M., Mammals; Mb., Marine Biology; Ph., 
Photography; R., Reptiles and Amphibia; Sp., Speleology. Names of 
other subjects are printed in full. 


HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS 

BUTLER, W. H., M.B.E., c/- Wanneroo Wildflowcr Nursery, 11 Mile Peg 
Wanneroo Rd., Wanneroo, 6061 (E., G., Mb., R.) 

ERICKSON. Mrs. R., 1 Boronia Avc., Nedlands, 6009 (B„ Bot.) 

GENTILLI, Dr. J., 65 Bruce St., Nedlands, 6009 (Climatology, Biogeo¬ 
graphy, Mycology). 

JENKINS, C. F. H., M.B.E., 22 Freshwater Close, Claremont, 6010 
(B., G., I.) 

KNIEP, Miss E., Flat 108, Forrest Hill Flats, 583 William St., Mt. 
Lawley, 6050 (Bot.) 

MAIN, Professor A. R., c/- Zoology Dept., University of W.A., Nedlands, 
6009. 

MATHEWS, A. G., 50 Douglas Ave., South Perth, 6151 (B., I., Mb.) 

MILLS, Mrs. Margaret B., P.O. Box 187, Merredin, 6415 (Bot., T., G.) 

NICHOLLS, Miss C. A., A.M., 15 Circe Circle, Dalkeith, 6009 (G.) 

ROWE, F. W.. Kendenup, 6323 (Bot., G., Geol., I.) 

SEDGWICK, E. H., 20 Herbert Rd., Harvey, 6220 (B., C.) 

SERVENTY, Dr. D. L., 27 Everett St., Nedlands, 6009 (B., F., G., M.) 

SERVENTY, Miss L., I.S.M., 34 Onslow Rd., Subiaco, 6008 (B., Bot., C.) 

SERVENTY, V. N., A.M., 8 Reiby Rd., Hunter’s Hill, N.S.W., 2110 (B., G.) 

SEYMOUR. Miss O.. c/- Gwenyfred Nursing Home, 62 Gwenyfred Rd., 
South Perth, 6151 (B.) 

SMITH, G. G., c/- Botany Dept., University of W.A., Nedlands, 6009 
(Bot., Mb.) 

SPORN, C. C., 21 Service St., Mandurah, 6210 (B., Bot., R.) 


v 


MEMBERS (SENIOR) 

ABBOTT, Dr. Ian, Zoology Dept., University of W.A., Nedlands, 6009 
(B., Bot.) 

ALCORN, Mrs. M. B., P.O. Northcliffe, 6262 
ALLISON, R., 5 Riverside Drive, Mosman Park, 6012 
ANDERSON, Mrs. D., 37 Aldcrbury St., Floreat Park, 6014 
ANDERSON, Mrs. J., 24 The Pinnacle, Willeton, 6155 
ANDERSON, K., 24 The Pinnacle, Willeton, 6155 
APLIN, T. E. H., 15 Coolidge St., Como, 6152 (Bot.) 

APLIN, Mrs. T. E. H., 15 Coolidge St., Como, 6152 
ARMSTRONG, Miss J., 6/160 Flinders St., Mt. Yokine, 6060 
ARMSTRONG. Miss M., 23 Astley St., Gosnclls, 6110 
ARMSTRONG. Dr. P. H., Geography Dept., University of W.A., Nedlands, 
6009 

ARNOLD, H. W. R., Kojanccrup, via Albany, 6330 
ARNOLD, Mrs. P. H., Kojaneerup, via Albany, 6330 
ATHERTON, Miss G. E., M.B.E., 4 Anne Ave., Kalamunda, 6076 
AUSTIN, Prof. M. N., 15 Congdon St., Claremont, 6010 
AUSTIN, Mrs. R. B., 15 Congdon St.. Claremont, 6010 


BAILEY, Max, Box K803, G.P.O., Perth, 6001 

BAKER, Dr. F. H. U., 1/29 Ardross St., Applccross, 6153 (I.) 

BAKER, Mrs. F. H. U., 1/29 Ardross St., Applccross, 6153 
BANNISTER, J. L., c/- W.A. Museum, Francis St., Perth, 6000 
BARBER, Miss D.. 81 Melvista Ave., Nedlands, 6009 
BARKER. Dr. S., Zoology Dept., University of Adelaide, Adelaide. S.A., 
5000 (M., I.) 

BARRETT, C. F., Box 93, P.O. Pannawonica, 6716 

BARRETT, Mrs. M. E., Box 93, P.O., Pannawonica, 6716 

BARRETT-LENNARD, Dr. L., “Byfields”, Kondut, 6605 

BARRETT-LENNARD, Mrs. L., “Byfields”, Kondut, 6605 

BAYNES, A., W.A. Museum, Francis St., Perth, 6000 

BEAHAN, Mrs. S., 121 Nicholson Rd., Subiaco, 6008 

BEAHAN, Dr. P.. 7 Bruce St., Nedlands, 6009 

BEAHAN, Mrs. H. J., 7 Bruce St., Nedlands, 6009 

BEALES, M. J., Box 202, Newman, 6753 

BEATTIE, Mrs. E. M„ P.O. Box 38, Yealering, 6372 

BENNETT, J., 21 Currawong Drive, Gooseberry Hill, 6076 

BENNETT, Mrs. E. M., 21 Currawong Drive, Gooseberry Hill, 6076 

BENNETT. Mrs. V. M., P.O. Box 153, Ravcnsthorpc, 6346 

BENSON, Mrs. R., 52 Lawley Cres., Mt. Lawlcy, 6050 

BIALAS, Mrs. D., Dairy Rd., Darlington, 6070 

BILL, A. J., Koomarin, Cookernup, 6220 

BILL, Mrs. B. A., Koomarin, Cookernup, 6220 

BLUMER, W. C. F., 41 Thomas St., Nedlands, 6009 

BLUMER, Mrs. W. C. F., 41 Thomas St., Nedlands, 6009 

BOON, Miss A. V.. 283 Kelvin Rd., Maddington, 6109 

BOYD. J. S., Peaceful Bay, Denmark, 6333 

BRIGGS, Mrs. R., 469 Stirling H’way, Cottesloe, 6011 (B., Bot., Mb.) 
BRISTOWE, Miss V. M., 75 Rookwood St., Mt. Lawley, 6050 
BROADHURST, Miss L. M., c/- Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Shenton 
Park. 6008 (B.) 

BRODSGAARD, Mrs. J., 30 Osborne Rd., East Fremantle, 6158 
BROOKF.R, M. G., CSIRO Divn. of Wildlife Research, P.O. Box 84, 
Lyneham, A.C.T., 2602 

BROOKS, P., P.O. Box 459, Carnarvon, 6701 

BROWN, C. M. A., 26 Riverview St., South Perth, 6151, (E., Bot., G., 
Gcogr., Geol.) 

BROWN, R., 85 Holman St., Alfred Cove, 6154 
BROWN, Mrs. S., 85 Holman St., Alfred Cove, 6154 
BROWNE, Mrs. E., 134 Johnston Rd.. Parkerville, 6553 (Geol. and 
Palaeontology, Seaweeds) 


VI 


BROWNE, W. S., 583 William St., Mt. Lawley, 6050 (C.) 

BRYANT, Mrs. J. M., 61 Clifton St., Nedlands, 6009 
BURBIDGE, Dr. A. A., W.A. Wildlife Research Centre, P.O. Box 51, 
Wanneroo, 6065 

BURBIDGE, A., Botany Dept., University of W.A., Nedlands, 6009 
BURT, J. S., G.P.O. Box A48, Perth, 6001 
BUSH, T. E., P.O. Box 630, Albany, 6330 (B.) 

BUTCHER, J. L., 109 Branksome Gardens, City Beach, 6015 


CAFFIN, D., P.O. Box 29, Armadale, 6112 
CAFFIN, Mrs. N., P.O. Box 29, Armadale, 6112 
CALABY, J. H., P.O. Box 84, Lyneham, A.C.T., 2602 
CAMERON, G. M., Lot 240 Martin Rd., Mundaring, 6073 
CAMERON, Mrs. R. C., Lot 240, Martin Rd.. Mundaring, 6073 
CASEY, Brother Terry, St. Edmund’s College, 205 Prinsep St., Collie, 6225 
CHALMER, H., 10 Hermes St., Riverton, 6155 
CHALMER, Mrs. D. K„ 10 Hermes St., Riverton, 6155 
CHAPMAN, A., 17 Kerior St., Mullaloo, 6025 
CHAPMAN, G., Lot 12, Hardey Rd., Glen Forrest, 6071 (B.) 
CHESTER, G. W., Unit 17, Kalinda Gardens. 80 Clydesdale St., Como, 
6152 

CHEYNE, Miss D., 9 Saladin St., Swanbourne, 6010 (B., Bot., C., G.) 
CHEYNE, Miss B. M., 9 Saladin St., Swanbourne, 6010 (B., Bot., C., G.) 
CHEESEMAN, G. M., P.O. Box 6, Mundaring, 6073 
CHITTLEBOROUGH, Dr. R. G.. 7 Rochdale Rd., Mt. Claremont, 6010 
CHRISTENSEN, P., 78 Pritchard St.. Manjimup, 6258 
CLARKE, Mrs. A., 22 Hillway, Nedlands, 6009 
CLARKE, Mrs. J., 12 Aboyne Rd.. Gooseberry Hill, 6076 (B.) 
CLAYTON, Mrs. M. D., 52 Austin St., Subiaco, 6008 
CLEMENTS, Dr. D. A., 7 Warton St., Mosman Park, 6012 
CLEMENTS, Mrs. E., 7 Warton St., Mosman Park, 6012 
CLEVELAND, Miss O. F., 27 Mcrriwa St., Nedlands, 6009 
CLIFTON, Miss C. C., Flat 4, Broome St., Cottesloc, 6011 
CONGDON, Miss E., 41 Winterfold Rd., Hamilton Hill East, 6163 
CONGREVE, P., Yanchep National Park, Yanchep, 6065 
CONNOR, Mrs. Dorothy St. Barbe, 117 Winthrop Ave., Crawley, 6009 
CONNOR, P. St. Barbe, 117 Winthrop Ave., 6009 

COOK, D., c/- Union Carbide Exploration Co., Suite 601, 112 W. Pender 
St., Vancouver I., B.C., Canada (Vert. Palaeontology, Geol., Mb.) 
COPEMAN, Mrs. E., 21 Beach Rd., Marmion, 6020 (B., F., G., Geogr., I.) 
CORFE, Bruce, Flat 4, Warrawong, 75 Glendower St., Perth, 6000 
CORFE, Mrs. Gillian, Flat 4, Warrawong, 75 Glendower St., Perth, 6000 
CORNISH, Mrs. Jenny, “Lyndale,” South-West H’way., Armadale, 6112 
CARRTCK, G., P.O. Box 7107, Cloisters Square, Perth, 6000 
CRABB, Mrs. D., P.O. Box 5. Kojonup, 6395 

CREED, Dr. Kate E., School of Veterinary Studies. Murdoch University, 
Murdoch, 6153 

CROSS. Mrs. Delvs, 35 Tilton Tee., City Beach, 6015 
CROWE, J. F., Flat 212, 36 Mount St., Perth, 6000 
CULLEN, Mrs. M. E., 190 Townsend Rd., Subiaco, 6008 
CUREDALE, G. E., P.O. Box 969, Geraldton, 6530 
CUREDALE, Mrs. G. E., P.O. Box 969, Geraldton. 6530 
CURTIS, R„ State Health Laboratory, Shenton Park, 6008 
CURTIS, Mrs. R., State Health Laboratory, Shenton Park, 6008 


DACHTLER, Mrs. Wilma, Lot 23, Hartfield Rd., Forrestfield, 6058 
DARNELL, John, I Farnley Way, Duncraig, 6023 (B.) 

DART, J. E., P.O. Box 14, Dumbleyung, 6350 
DAVIDSON, Mrs. M., 107 Forrest St., South Perth, 6151 
DAVIES, Dr. S. J. J. F.. Waters Upton Mt. Helena, 6555 (B., Behaviour, 
Bot., M.) 


VII 


DAWBARN, Miss M. C., 9 Bellevue Ave., Dalkeith, 6009 
de BURGH, Mrs. S. G., 66 Strickland St., South Perth, 6151 
de la HUNTY, Mrs. Shirley, 22 Fraser Rd., Applecross, 6153 
DELL, Dr Bernard, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Murdoch 
University, Murdoch, 6153 

DELL, E., Glcnbrook Orchard, Location 754, Aldersydc Rd. (South), 
Bickley, 6076 

DELL, Mrs. E. J., Glenbrook Orchard, Location 754, Aldersyde Rd. 
(South), Bickley, 6076 

DELL, John, P.O. Box 173, Kalamunda, 6076 (B., R.) 

DELL, Mrs. Pamela, P.O. Box 173, Kalamunda, 6076 
DENNY. Miss R. J., 11 Mount St., Perth, 6000 
de REBEIRA, C. P. S., 17 Seaforth Rd., Nollamara, 6061 (B.) 
de REBEIRA, Mrs. Alma, 17 Seaforth Rd., Nollamara, 6061 (B.) 
DICKENS, John, 176 Williams Rd., Gooseberry Hill, 6076 
DODDS, S., 22 Genesta Cres., Dalkeith, 6009 
DODDS, Mrs. Sally, 22 Genesta Cres., Dalkeith, 6009 
DOLEY, Mrs. A. B., “Koobabbie,” Coorow, 6515 
DONEY, Miss Patricia, 29 Pitt St., St. James, 6102 
DONNEL, F. O., 102 Caledonian Ave., Maylands, 6051 
DOUGLAS. Miss Leigh, District Hospital, Wyndham, 6740 
DOWNES, R., 31 Urch Rd., Roleystonc, 6111 
DOWNES, Mrs. S., 31 Urch Rd., Roleystonc, 6111 
DOYLE, Gane, Lot 73, Henley St., West Swan, 6055 
DOYLE, Mrs. June, Lot 73, Henley St., West Swan, 6055 
DUNCAN, Miss Andrea, 24 Gallipoli St., Victoria Park, 6100 
DUNCAN, Miss Margaret, 24 Gallipoli St., Victoria Park, 6100 
DUNLOP, J. E., 186 Reynolds Rd., Mt. Pleasant, 6153 
DUNNE, J. P.. 40 Owston St., Mosman Park, 6012 
DUNNE, Mrs. M., 40 Owston St., Mosman Park, 6012 
DUNSMORE. Dr. I., 4 August Court, Bull Creek, 6153 
DUNSMORE, Mrs. Theda, 4 August Court, Bull Creek. 6153 


EADIE, M., 39 Ord St., Claremont, 6010 

EALEY, Dr. E. H. M., Dept, of Zoology, Monash University, Clayton, 
Vic. 3168 (B., M., Mb.) 

EARLE-SMITH, Mrs. M., 105 Nanson St., Wembley, 6014 
EARLE-SMITH, Miss K., 105 Nanson St., Wembley, 6014 
EDGAR, Ian, 37 Mitchell St., Ardross, 6153 (B., Ph.) 

EDGAR, Mrs. Thelma, 37 Mitchell St., Ardross, 6153 
EIVERS, Miss G., 22 Kings Rd., Subiaco, 6008 
ELKINGTON, Mrs. K., 15 Kershaw St., Subiaco, 6008 
ELLIOTT, Miss Sybil, 86 Webster St., Nedlands, 6009 
ELLIS, M. C., c/- W.A. Museum, Francis St., Perth, 6000 
ELLIS, R. A., 9 Drake Way, Morley, 6062 
EMBERSON, Mrs. Jane, 11a Grange St., Innaloo, 6018 
ENGLEDOW, P.. 8 Kennedy Way, Padbury, 6025 
EVANS, F. P., 27 Currajong Cres., Craigie, 6025 
EVANS, Mrs. P. J., 27 Currajong Cres., Craigie, 6025 
EWERS, Mrs. D. M., 25 Hammond St., Palmyra, 6157 


FAIRFAX, R., 4 Gray Rd., Gooseberry Hill, 6076 
FAIRFAX, Mrs. G., 4 Gray Rd., Gooseberry Hill, 6076 
FAULKNER-HILL. Dr. Diane, 111 Grant St., Cottesloe, 6011 
FEATHER, Mrs. Diane, 68 Aberfeldy Cres., Duncraig, 6023 
FEWSTER, A., 9 Morphctt Cres., Bateman, 6153 
FEWSTER. Mrs. B., 9 Morphett Cres., Bateman, 6153 
FISCHER, Miss Pauline, Stone Cres., Darlington, 6070 
FLEAY, Miss Joy, 3/57 Troy Tee., Daglish, 6008 
FOLLEY, G., Lot 128, Johnstone Rd., Parkcrville, 6553 
FOLLEY, Mrs. B.. Lot 128, Johnstone Rd., Parkcrville, 6553 


viii 



FORD, Julian, 21 Bowtell Rd., Lesmurdie, 6076 (B., G., M., R.) 
FROUD1ST, J., 20a Cunningham St., Ardross, 6153 
FROUDIST, Mrs. P., 20a Cunningham St., Ardross, 6153 
FRY, T. C., 25 Saunders St., Swanbournc, 6010 
FULLER, P. J., 1 Ruth St., Como, 6152 (B.) 


GAMACK, J. B., Unit 10, Hartford, 39-43 Fourth Ave., Mt. Lawley, 6050 
GARDINER, Mrs. B., 35 Beatrice Rd., Dalkeith, 6009 
GARDNER, Mrs. A. J., 4/18 Kintail Rd., Applecross, 6153 
GARDNER, J. R., 50 Hawkstone St., Cottesloe, 6011 
GARDNER, Mrs. M. A., 50 Hawkstone St., Cottesloe, 6011 
GARRATY, Dr. R. J., Unit 7, “Lorida”, 19 The Esplanade, South Perth, 
6151 

GARTLAND, Miss J. P., 43 Broome St., Nedlands, 6009 
GENTILLI, Dr. Joseph, 65 Bruce St., Nedlands, 6009 (Climatology, 
Biogeography, Mycology) 

GENTILLI, Mrs. M. V., 65 Bruce St., Nedlands, 6009 
GEORGE, A. S., W.A. Herbarium, Dept, of Agriculture, Jarrah Rd., 
South Perth, 6151 (Bot., G., Geogr.) 

GIBBS, H. B., Dardanup, 6236 
GIBBS, Mrs. D. G., Dardanup, 6236 
GILBERT, Ivan, “Byfields”, Kondut, 6605 
GILBERT, Mrs. J., “Byfields”, Kondut, 6605 
GOODALE, R. J., 218 Arcadia Drive, Safety Bay, 6169 
GOOD ALE, Mrs. A. F. K.. 218 Arcadia Drive, Safety Bay, 6169 
GORAJ, F. H., 22/165 Derby Rd.. Shcnton Park, 6008 
GORAJ, Mrs. J. T., 22/165 Derby Rd., Shcnton Park, 6008 
GORDON, Miss Susan, 58 The Esplanade, Peppermint Grove, 6011 
GOULDTHORP, P. J., York Tee., Mosman Park, 6012 
GOULDTHORP, Mrs. J. M., York Tee., Mosman Park, 6012 
GOW, G. F.. P.O. Box 4646, Darwin, N.T., 5794 
GRALTON. P., 29 Bernard St., Claremont, 6010 
GRALTON, Mrs. P. A., 29 Bernard St., Claremont, 6010 
GREEN, Miss Miola V. Benson, Flat 1, “Concord”, Sanderson St., 
Lesmurdie, 6076 (B.) 

GREEN, Mrs. Olive, 288 Hale Rd., Woodlands, 6018 
GREGORY, Mrs. Gerri. 9 Leonora Rd., Como, 6152 
GRIFFITHS, K.. Post Office, Parkerville, 6553 (B., Bot.. L, R.) 
GRIFFITHS, Mrs. M. A., Post Office, Parkerville, 6553 
GRIMMER, D. W., 40 Ullapool Rd., Mt. Pleasant, 6153 


HALE, Miss B. M., 35 Bruce St., Nedlands, 6009 
HALEY, D., 41 Baal St., Palmyra, 6157 
HALLAM, Prof. H. E., 13 Walter St., Claremont, 6010 
HALLAM, Mrs. S. J., 13 Walter St., Claremont, 6010 (E.) 
HAMMOND, Mrs. E. M., Flat 4. 31 Williams Rd., Nedlands, 6009 
HAMMOND, R. K., 37 Egham St., Victoria Park, 6100 
HANCOCK, I. R., 16 Ashstead St., Morley, 6062 
HARDWICK, R. W., 17 Pearl St., Clovcrdalc, 6105 
HARDWICK, Mrs. D. E.. 17 Pearl St., Clovcrdalc, 6105 
HARGREAVES, J. D., 3258 Albany H’way., Armadale, 6112 
HARNETT, Mrs. J.. 164 Shcnton St., Gcraldton, 6530 
HASKINS, Dr. C. O., Carnegie Institute of Washington, 1530 P. Street, 
N. W. Washington 5, D.C., U.S.A. 

HASSELL, C. W., 39 Birdwood Pde., Dalkeith, 6009 
HASSELL, Mrs. Jennifer, 39 Birdwood Pde., Dalkeith, 6009 
HASSETT, A. J., 316 Salvado Rd., Floreat Park, 6014 
HASSETT, Mrs. A. J., 316 Salvado Rd., Floreat Park, 6014 
HAY, Mrs. P. M., Raeburn Rd., Roleystone, 6111 

HEMSLEY, Lionel, c/- Veterinary School, Murdoch University, Murdoch, 
6153 


IX 


HEMSLEY, Mrs. Valerie, 64 Canning Ave., Mt. Pleasant, 6153 
HERCOCK, Miss M. J., 27 Edward St., Nedlands, 6009 
HEWETT, J. R., P.O. Box 77, Wongan Hills, 6603 
HEWETT, Mrs. E. M., P.O. Box 77, Wongan Hills, 6603 
HILL. Miss Faye L., 149 Bailey Rd., Glen Forrest, 6071 
HINCHLIFFE, E., 54/48 McMaster St., Victoria Park, 6100 
H1NDMARSH, Miss N. E., 9 Leach St., Marmion, 6020 
HINGSTON, Mrs. D.. 13 Ashwell St., Albany, 6330 
HNATIUK, Dr. R. J., 13 Eastfield Court, Fcrndale, 6155 
HNATIUK, Dr. S. H., 13 Eastfield Court, Fcrndale, 6155 
HODGKIN. Dr. E. P., 6 Princes St.. Mosman Park, 6012, (I., Mb.) 
HOGARTH, P. J., P.O. Box 104, Kalamunda, 6076 
HOGARTH, Mrs. B. L, P.O. Box 104, Kalamunda, 6076 
HOGARTH. T. W., P.O. Box 1, Darlington, 6070 (B.) 

HOGARTH, Mrs. P. S., P.O. Box 1, Darlington, 6070 (B.) 

HOGB1N, R. H., 16 Kingsall Rd., Attadale, 6156 
HORNER, Mrs. J., 52 Annetts Rd., Dalwallinu, 6609 
HOWARD, M. J., c/- Police Station, Carnarvon, 6701 
HUNT, R., 149 St. Brigids Tee., Scarborough, 6019 
HUNTER, J. L., 35 Pandora Drive, City Beach, 6015 (B.) 

HUSSEY, Miss B. M. J., 45 Miller St., East Victoria Park, 6101 (Bot.) 
HUTCHINSON, John, Brockman St., Balingup, 6253 
HUTCHISON, D. E., 7 Fern St., Swanbourne, 6010 
HUTCHISON, Mrs. D. E., 7 Fern St., Swanbourne, 6010 


IMMELMANN, Dr. Klaus, Dept, of Ethology, University of Bielefeld. 

P.O. Box 8640, 48 Bielefeld 1, West Germany 
1NGLETON, N., 109 Dalkeith Rd., Nedlands, 6009 
INGLETON, Mrs. P., 109 Dalkeith Rd., Nedlands, 6009 
IRWIN, E. W. D., 24 Darley Heights, Darlcy St., South Perth, 6151 
IRWIN, Mrs. E. W. D., 24 Darlcy Heights, Darley St., South Perth, 6151 


JAMES, D. F,, 283 Commercial Rd., Forrestdale, 6112 
JEFFERY, I., 154 Gloster St., Subiaco, 6008 
JEFFERY, Mrs. I.. 154 Gloster St., Subiaco, 6008 
JENKINS, Mrs. Judith, 88 Rosedale St., Floreat Park, 6014 
JOHNSON, Miss D., 6 Merriwa St., Nedlands, 6009 
JOHNSON, Dr. D., 67 Hartung St., Mundaring, 6073 
JOHNSON, Mrs. P., 67 Hartung St., Mundaring, 6073 
JOHNSON, Mrs. Kitty S., 41 Goldsmith Rd., Dalkeith, 6009 
JOHNSON. N., c/- Police Station, Wyndham, 6741 
JOHNSON, Mrs. S., c/- Police Station, Wyndham, 6741 
JOHNSTON, R., 30 Portland St., Nedlands, 6009 
JOHNSTON. Mrs. M., 30 Portland St., Nedlands, 6009 
JOHNSTONE, R. E., c/- W.A. Museum, Francis St., Perth, 6000 
JOHNES, Mrs. Christine, 25 Cranleigh St., Morley, 6062 
JONES, Dr. A. L., 17 Davies Rd., Dalkeith, 6009 
JURY, J. R., 29 McRae Rd., Kalamunda. 6076 


KABAY, E., 47 Monash Ave., Como, 6152 
KEAST, C., P.O. Box 131, Mundaring, 6073 

KEAST, Prof. J. A., Dept, of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, 
Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6 

KEEHNER, Mrs. L., 3 Hawkins St., Mt. Pleasant, 6153 (G.) 
KEIGHERY, G. J., c/- Kings Park Board Office, West Perth, 6005 
KEIGHERY, Mrs. B. J., c/- Kings Park Board Office, West Perth, 6005 
KENDRICK, G. W., 35 Elmhurst Way, Greenwood, 6024 (C., Quaternary 
Geol.) 

KENNEALLY. K. F., c/- W.A. Herbarium, Dept, of Agriculture, Jarrah 
Rd., South Perth, 6151 (Bot.) 

KENNETT. Dr. D. W. G., 77 Tyrell St., Nedlands, 6009 
KENNETT, Dr. Beryl, 77 Tyrell St., Nedlands, 6009 


x 


KERR, Miss Moira, 22 Periwinkle Way, Parkwood, 6155 
KLUMPP, Miss J. M., 30a Lalor St., Scarborough, 6019 
KNIGHT, Dr. J. O., 32 The Boulevarde, Floreat Park, 6014 
KNIGHT, Mrs. J. L., 32 The Boulevarde, Floreat Park, 6014 
KNOTT, E. D., 77 Kalinda Drive, City Beach, 6015 
KOCH, Dr. L. E., c/- W.A. Museum, Francis St., Perth, 6000 
KOLICHIS, N., 166 Howe St., Osborne Park, 6017 (B.) 
KRIEWALDT. M.. P.O. Box 6010, Hay St. East Perth, 6000 


LACOUR-GAYET, Mme. R., 19 Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, Paris, France 
LAMONT, Dr. Byron, Biology Dept., W.A.I.T., Bentley, 6102 
LANCE, K. A., 49 Queen St., Bentley, 6102 

LANE, J. A. K., c/- W.A. Wildlife Research Centre, P.O. Box 51, 
Wanncroo, 6065 

LANTZKE, Dr. I. R., 4 Ailsa St., Wembley Downs, 6019 
LANTZKE, Mrs. P. M., 4 Ailsa St., Wembley Downs, 6019 
LAW, Mrs. B. C., 6 Bellevue Tee., Swanbourne, 6010 
LEE, Dr. E. J., 2 Goldsmith Rd., Claremont, 6010 
LEE, Mrs. R. P., 2 Goldsmith Rd., Claremont, 6010 
Le FANU, S., 41 Rivcrview Tee., Indooroopilly, Qld. 4068 (G.) 

LENANE, L., 26 Kintore St., Moora, 6510 
LENANE, Mrs. L., 26 Kintore St., Moora, 6510 

LE SOUEF, Miss N. E., Unit 47, Fraser House, 73 Mill Point Rd., South 
Perth, 6151 

LIEVENSE, D„ 24 Ray St., Kewdale, 6105 
LINDSEY, Miss P., 20 King’s Rd., Subiaco, 6008 
LINSTEAD, Greg., 6 Torwood Drive, Gooseberry Hill, 6076 
LLOYD, M., Stirling Range National Park, Amelup, via Borden, 6338 
LOARING, Mrs. M.. Stanhope Rd., Kalamunda, 6076 (B.) 

LODGE, G. A.. R.M.B. I07D, Boyup Brook, 6244 (B.) 

LONEY, Mrs. Shirley, 22 Carrington St., Nedlands, 6009 (Bot.) 
LONSDALE, A. J., 27 Gilroy Way, Lesmurdie, 6076 
LUXFORD, B.. 24 Bellevue Tee., Fremantle, 6160 
LUYER, J. R., 249 Marmion St., Cottesloe, 6011 
LUYER, Mrs. R. H., 249 Marmion St., Cottesloe, 6011 


McCRUM, Eric, “Minimba,” Lot 207, Kintore Rd., Parkerville, 6553 
McCRUM, Mrs. Margaret, “Minimba,” Lot 207, Kintore Rd., Parkerville, 
6553 

McCRUM, Miss Janinc, “Minimba”, Lot 207, Kintore Rd., Parkerville, 
6553 

McFARLAND, Noel, P.O. Box 475, Geraldton, 6530 
McGAURAN, Miss Jean, Private Bag 12, Geraldton, 6530 (B., Bot., I., R.) 
McHUGH, L. J. F., 300 Oliver Rd., Roseville, N.S.W., 2069 (B.) 
MACKENZIE, Mrs. P., 18 Riley Rd., Claremont, 6010 
McMILLAN, D. J., 138 Broome St., Cottesloe, 6011 
McMILLAN, R. P., 82 Railway St., Cottesloe, 6011 (B., Bot., L, Mb.) 
McNAMARA, B. A., 9 Central Ave., Rossmoyne, 6155 
McNAMARA, Mrs. B. A., 9 Central Ave., Rossmoyne, 6155 
MAIN, Dr. B. Y., Zoology Dept., University of W.A., Nedlands, 6009 (A.) 
MANNING, Mrs. M., M.B.E., 47/73 Mill Point Rd., South Perth, 6151 
MARCHANT, Dr. Neville, c/- W.A. Herbarium, Dept, of Agriculture, 
Jarrah Rd., South Perth, 6151 

MARKHAM, J. R. P., 21 Norman St., Wembley Downs, 6019 
MARR, Mrs. Noela, 31 Bournemouth Pde., Triggs, 6020 (B., Bot.) 
MARSH, Mrs. Loisette, c/- W.A. Museum, Francis St.. Perth, 6000 
MARSHALL, Duncan. P.O. Box 593. Bunbury, 6230 
MARSHALL, Mrs. Vivienne, P.O., Box 593, Bunbury, 6230 
MARSHALL, R. E., 20 Hobbs Ave.. Como, 6152 
MARSHALL, Mrs. L. R., 20 Hobbs Ave., Como, 6152 
MARTIN, Dr. Helen, 4 Mardolf Rd., Lesmurdie, 6076 


xi 


MASTERS, Bernard, c/- Fisheries & Wildlife Dept., Busselton, 6280 
MASTERS, Mrs. C. T., c/- Fisheries & Wildlife Dept., Busselton, 6280 
MASTERS, Miss Pamela I.. P.O. Box 44, Northam, 6401 
MAWSON, J. R., 42 AureXian St., Palmyra, 6157 (A., R.) 

MAYR, Prof. Ernst, c/- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard 
University, Cambridge, Mass. 02138, U.S.A. 

MELLOR, Mrs. A. M., 61 Pandora Drive, City Beach, 6015 
MERCER, R. W., 26 Muir St., Innaloo, 6018 (Frogs) 

MERCER, Mrs. E. W., 26 Muir St., Innaloo, 6018 (Frogs) 
MERRIFIELD, Mrs. A., 10 Bridge St., S. Guildford, 6055 
MERRILEES, Dr. Duncan, c/- W.A. Museum, Francis St.. Perth, 6000 
(M.. Sp., Fossils) 

MILHINCH, A. L.. “Scabrook,” via Northam, 6401 (B., Geol.) 
MILHINCH, Mrs. Ruth, “Seabrook,” via Northam, 6401 (Bot., G.) 
MILLARD, M. T., 49 Loton St., Woodlands, 6018 
MILLARD, Mrs. Yvonne, 49 Loton St., Woodlands, 6018 
MILLS, Mrs. Margaret B., P.O. Box 187, Merredin, 6415 (Bot., I., G.) 
MILNE, Miss E., 14 Margaret St., Cottesloe, 6011 
MITCHELL, Tony, Wyndabyne, via Piawaning, 6572 
MOORE, P., Unit 219, Bennelong, 53 The Esplanade, South Perth, 6151 
MOORE, Mrs. E., Unit 219, Bennelong, 53 The Esplanade, South Perth, 
6151 

MORRIS, Miss Fay E„ 2 Staines St., Victoria Park, 6100 (B., Bot., G., 
Frogs, Fungi) 

MORRIS. Miss Hooe. 139 Stubbs Ave., Daglish, 6008 (B.) 

MOTT, Dr. J. J., c/- CSIRO Cunningham Laboratory, St. Lucia, Qld. 4067 
MOULDS. M. S., 14 Chisholm St., Greenwich, N.S.W., 2065 (I.) 
MOYES. Mrs. Judy, Christchurch Grammar School, Queenslea Drive, 
Claremont. 6010 (B.) 

MUELLER, Otto, 86 Marlow St., Wembley, 6014 (B.) 

MUELLER, Mrs. Anne, 86 Marlow St., Wembley, 6014 
MUIR, Barry G.. 44 Coulston Rd., Boya, 6056 
MUIR, Mrs. Jennifer H., 44 Coulston Rd.. Boya, 6056 
MURRAY, W. A. S.. Attunga, Great Eastern H’way., Glen Forrest, 6071 
MURRAY, Mrs. D. M., Attunga, Great Eastern H’way., Glen Forrest, 
6071 


NANKIVELL, J., “Lake View”, Wubin, 6612 
NANKIVELL, Mrs. H., “Lake View”, Wubin, 6612 
NASH, R. J., 13 Perkins Rd., Melville, 6156 
NASH, Mrs. Margaret E., 13 Perkins Rd., Melville, 6156 
NEWBEY, K. R., Ongerup, 6336 (Plant Gcogr., Domestication of Native 
Plants) 

NEWELL, Mrs. Linda, 10 Malcolm St., North Beach, 6020 
NEWHAM, Miss Lillie E., 65 Howick St., Victoria Park, 6100 
NICHOLS, Miss Beryl, State Health Laboratories, G.P.O. Box F312, 
Perth, 6001 

NICHOLS, O. G., 69 Cleveland St., Dianella, 6052 
NOAKES, Barry, 12 Temby Ave., Kalamunda, 6076 
NOTLEY, A. T., 15 Lugger Place, Yanchep, 6065 


O’CONNOR, Prof. Desmond C., School of Environmental and Life 
Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, 6153 
O’DONNELL. C. F.. 5 Vista St., South Perth, 6151 
OLDHAM, John. 11 Saladin St., Swanbourne, 6010 
OLDHAM, Mrs. Ray, II Saladin St., Swanbourne, 6010 
O'LOUGHLIN, K., 16 Swansea St., Swanbourne, 6010 
O’MEARA, Miss R., 5 Roebuck Drive, Manning, 6152 
ORR, R. G. G., 56 Farnifield Way. Morley, 6062 
OSBORNE, Ian, P.O. Box 91, Denmark, 6333 
OSBORNE, Mrs. Susan, P.O. Box 91, Denmark, 6333 


xii 


PAINE, Dr. G. D., Private Bag 0035, Gaberone, Republic of Botswana 

PALMER, Mrs. Evelyn, 31 Kenny St., Bassendean, 6054 

PALMER, Kingsley, 33 Waylen Rd., Shenton Park, 6008 

PARKES, N. J., 24 Bellbird Rd., Mt. Eliza, Vic., 3930 (Freshwater Fishes) 

PARRY, Mrs. F. I., 4b Shearman St., Attadale, 6156 

PARRY, Jim, 7 Fortview Rd., Mt. Claremont, 6010 

PARRY, Mrs. Norma, 7 Fortview Rd., Mt. Claremont, 6010 

PARRY, N. A., 29 Compass Circle, Yanchep Lagoon, 6065 

PARRY, Mrs. E. S., 29 Compass Circle, Yanchep Lagoon, 6065 

PASSMORE, Terry, Yanchep National Park. Yanchep, 6065 

PASSMORE, Mrs. N. M., Yanchep National Park, Yanchep, 6065 

PAYTON, Ross, 2 Spencer St., Bunbury, 6230 

PERRET, Dr. C. J., 132 Rosalie St., Shenton Park, 6008 

PERRET, Dr. Dorothy, 132 Rosalie St., Shenton Park, 6008 

PERRY, D. H., 26 Egham Rd., Victoria Park, 6100 

PERRY, Mrs. Roma, 21 Clarke Rd., Morley, 6022 

PERRY, George, 21 Clarke Rd., Morley, 6022 

PERRY, Mrs. Gillian, Botany Branch, Department of Agriculture, Jarrah 
Rd., South Perth, 6151 (Bot.) 

PERRY, Mrs. K. D., 142 Drummond Cres., Dampicr, 6713 
PETERSON, M., 69 Alvah St., St. James, 6102 

PHILIPP, G. A., 2408 Timmendorfcr Strand, Lubecker Strasse 5A, W. 
Germany 

PHILLIPS, Dr. B. F., 11 Luita St., Wembley Downs, 6019 
PHILLIPS, Dr. P. A., 11 Tilford Place, Morley, 6022 
PIANKA, Dr. Eric R., University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712, U.S.A. 
PINK, R. L„ c/- Woodleigh Station, Private Bag 44, Geraldton, 6530 
PLAYFORD, Dr. Philip, 102 Thomas St., Nedlands, 6009 
PLAYFORD, Mrs. Cynthia, 102 Thomas St., Nedlands, 6009 
POLE, Miss Ellen, 17 Hesperia Ave., City Beach. 6015 
POOLE, W. E., CSIRO, Divn. of Wildlife Res., P.O. Box 84. Lyneham. 
A.C.T., 2602 (G.) 

POOLE-JOHNSON, J., 80 Birkdale St., Floreat Park, 6014 

POW, Miss S., 450 Great Eastern H’way., East Guildford, 6055 

POWELL, Robert, 1 Grange St., Innaloo, 6018 

POWER, Gregory, 23 Valencia Rd., Carmel, 6076 

POWER, Mrs. Jennifer F., 23 Valencia Rd., Carmel, 6076 

PRAED, Max, 101 McGlew Rd.. Glen Forrest, 6071 

PR A ED, Mrs. Joan, 101 McGlew Rd.. Glen Forrest, 6071 

PRALL, D., 7 Cliff Place, Gosnells, 6110 

PR ALL, Mrs. D., 7 Cliff Place, Gosnells, 6110 

PRATT, Mrs. Mabel A., 68 Newry St., Floreat Park, 6014 

PUDOVSKIS, Mrs. H., 9 Brook St., Bassendean, 6054 


REES, Leslie, 4/5 The Esplanade, Balmoral Beach, N.S.W., 2088 
REID, D. R., c/- Western Mining Corporation, P.O. Box 17, Leonora, 
6438 (B., Geol.) 

REID, Mrs. D. R., c/- Western Mining Corporation, P.O. Box 17, 
Leonora, 6438 (B., Geol.) 

RICHARDSON, Mrs. D., 19 Acacia Rd., Maida Vale, 6057 
RICHARDSON, Dr. J. A., 19 Acacia Rd., Maida Vale, 6057 
RICHARDSON, K. C., c/- Veterinary School, Murdoch University, 
Murdoch, 6153 

RIDE, Dr. W. D. L., Australian Biological Resources Study Interim 
Council, Dept, of Science, P.O. Box 449, Woden, A.C.T., 
ROBERTS, P., Nornalup National Park, Coalmine Beach. Walpole, 6398 
ROBINSON, F. N.. Unit 10, 35 Margaret St., Waterman. 6020 
ROBINSON, Mrs. J. M., P.O. Box 61, York. 6302 
ROSS, P. H.. 58 Pearse St., Cottesloe. 6011 (Fungi) 

ROSS, Mrs. Noella, 9 Morago Cres., Cloverdale, 6105 
ROSS, Miss Shirley, 1 Stevens St., DagHsh, 6008 

ROWBOTHAM, Mrs. V., c/- Methodist Ladies College, Claremont, 6010 


xiii 


ROWLEY, Ian, CSIRO Divn. of Wildlife Research, Clayton Rd., Helena 
Valley, 6056 

ROYCE, R. D., P.O. Box 144, Midland, 6056 (Bot.) 

RUDWICK, R. E., Unit 9, 78 Royal St., Tuart Hill, 6060 
RUSYN, Miss Stephanie, 169a Birkett St., Dianella, 6062 


SAAR, Alex, 92 Salisbury St., Bedford, 6052 (B., Bot.) 

SAAR, Mrs. E. F., 2 Emander Drive, Dianella, 6062 (B., Bot., G.) 
SANDERSON, W. P. J., 3 Barclay St., Kardinya, 6163 
SANGSTER. Mark, 62 The Boulevarde, Floreat Park, 6014 
SEDGWICK, Lindsay. 365 Chapman Rd., Bluff Point, 6530 
SERVENTY. Mrs. G., 27 Everett St., Nedlands, 6009 
SERVENTY, J. C., P.O. Box 16. Bridgetown, 6255 
SERVENTY, J. S., 3 Howie St.. Woodlands, 6018 (G., Sp.) 

SHANNON, Dr. T. G. D., 31 Cimbrook Way, Duncraig, 6023 
SHANNON, Mrs. P. D., 31 Cimbrook Way, Duncraig, 6023 
SHEDDEN, S. H., P. O. Box 21, Coolgardie, 6429 
SHELTON, J. W., P.O. Box 13, Mundaring, 6073 
SHELTON, Mrs. P., P.O. Box 13, Mundaring, 6073 
SHEPHERD, Mrs. M. L., 4 Barcoo Ave., Claremont, 6010 
SHERWOOD, Miss Annette, Flat 5, 70 Subiaco Rd., 6008 
SHIPLEY, Miss T., c/- Publications Branch, Education Department, West 
Perth, 6005 (E., B.) 

SHIPWAY, Mrs. Irene, c/- Mrs. M. Fisher, 65 Beamish Ave., Mt. 
Pleasant, 6153 (F., G.) 

SHUGG, H. B.. Dept, of Fisheries & Wildlife, 108 Adelaide Tee., Peith 
6000 (G.) 

S1DOLI, Mrs. C. E., 18 Merriwa St., Nedlands, 6009 
S1EBER, A. D., 184 Birkett St., Dianella, 6062 (B., Bot.) 

SIMENSON, G., 9 Maccabean Ave,, Dianella, 6062 
SIMENSON, Mrs, L., 9 Maccabean Ave., Dianella, 6062 
SKINNER. R. W.. 6 Hart St., Lcsmurdie, 6076 
SKINNER, Mrs. M. E., 6 Hart St., Lesmurdie, 6076 
SMITH, D., 79 Basinghall St., East Victoria Park, 6101 
SMITH, Mrs. B., 79 Basinghall St.. East Victoria Park, 6101 
SMITH, Mrs. Eleanor. 66 Bay View Tee., Mosman Park, 6012 (Geol., Mb.) 
SMITH. Dr. F. G., 36 Vincent St., Nedlands, 6009 
SMITH, Mrs. F. G., 36 Vincent St., Nedlands, 6009 
SMITH, J. A., c/- Dr. G. M. Storr, W.A. Museum, Francis St., Perth, 6000 
SMITH, Miss P. S., 6 Oceanic Drive, Floreat Park, 6014 
SMITH, L. A., c/~ W.A. Museum, Francis St., Perth, 6000 
SMITH, Dr. V. W., 21 Purdy Ave.. Ardross, 6153 
SOTZIK, K., 15 Adamson Rd., Brentwood, 6153 
SOUNNESS, Miss Kcrrie, Egypt Est., Mt. Barker, 6324 
SOUTHWELL-KEELY, M., Lot 43, Hillcrest Rd., Mundaring, 6073 
SOUTHWELL-KEELY, Mrs. Merelyn. Lot 43, Hillcrest Rd., Mundaring 
6073 

SPALDING, Dr. V. T., 39 Strickland Rd., Ardross, 6153 
SPALDING, Mrs. V. T., 39 Strickland Rd., Ardross, 6153 
SPENCE. T., Director, Zoological Gardens, South Perth, 6151 
SPR1NGETT. Dr. B. P., 30 Alderbury St., Floreat Park, 6014 
SPRINGETT, Dr. J. A., 30 Alderbury St., Floreat Park, 6014 
STEWART, Mrs. K.. 7 Stanley St., Nedlands. 6009 (Bot.) 

STORR. Dr. G. M.. c/- W.A. Museum, Francis St.. Perth, 6000 (B . 
Bot.. Ci., R.) 

SWAN, G., 20 Cashel Cres., Killarney Heights, N.S.W. 2087 (R.) 
SWINDELL. Mrs. Y. V., 98 Forrest St., Cottcsloe, 6011 
SWIFT, Edwin, P.O. Box 13, Mundaring, 6073 
SWIFT, Mrs. Alice, P.O. Box 13. Mundaring, 6073 
SYKES, Miss D. M.. 51a Robert St., Como, 6152 
SYKES, Miss Marion, 51a Robert St., Como, 6152 


xiv 


TAGGART, D. L., Lot 330, Casino Rd., Glen Forrest, 6071 

TANNER, A. G., 44 Houston Ave., Dianella, 6062 

TANNER, Miss Rosalie, 44 Houston Ave., Dianella, 6062 

TAYLOR, A., “Westleigh’\ 43 Powell St., Joondanna, 6060 (Bot., Trees) 

TAYLOR, A., “Westleigh”. 43 Powell St., Joondanna, 6060 

TEALE, G., “Berrimbillah”, Traylen Rd., Stoneville, 6554 

TEALE, Mrs. Joy, “BerrimbillalT, Traylen Rd., Stoneville, 6554 

TEMPLE, Miss Beryl. 211 Heytesbury Rd., Subiaco, 6008 (B., Bot.) 

TETLOW, Miss Linda. 15 Ferguson St., Alfred Cove, 6154 

TETLOW, Miss Sylvia, 15 Ferguson St., Alfred Cove, 6154 

THIES, Mrs. K., 16 Edward St., Nedlands, 6009 

THIES, T. R., 16 Edward St., Nedlands, 6009 

THOMAS, Murray, 268 Nicholson Rd., Subiaco, 6008 

TILBROOKE, D., Bundara, 33 Belvcdaire Way, Parkwood, 6155 

TILBROOKE, Mrs. R., Bundara, 33 Belvcdaire Way, Parkwood, 6155 

TODD, K., 93 Melwood Ave., Killarney Heights, N.S.W. 2087 

TOMSETT, R. E., 6 Stanley Cres., Greenwood, 6024 

TONKINSON, J. P., 36 Philip Rd., Dalkeith, 6009 

TROTT, J. C., 13/12 Eric Street, Como, 6152 

TROTT, Mrs. Marina M., 13/12 Eric St., Como, 6152 


VALENTINE, P. S., Dept, of Geography, James Cook University, Towns¬ 
ville, Qld., 4811 

van der HEYDEN, Mrs. May E., 51a Arlington Ave., South Perth, 6151 
VAUGHAN, Miss Kathleen, 4 Armstrong Rd., Applecross, 6153 
VAUGHAN, K. M., 10/224 Stirling H’way., Claremont, 6010 
VERRALL, Mrs. Betty S., 220 Shaftesbury Ave., Bedford, 6052 
VICKERIDGE, M. W., 14 Solomon St., Fremantle, 6160 
VICKERIDGE. Mrs. C. A.. 14 Solomon St., Fremantle, 6160 


WAKEMAN, Miss S., Unit 14, 3 Roberts St., Como, 6152 
WALKER, Mrs. Lorna, 87 Victoria Ave., Dalkeith, 6009 
WALKER, Mrs. J. S., 95/16 Leeder St., Glcndalough, 6016 
WALKER, O.. 87 Victoria Ave., Dalkeith, 6009 
WALMSLEY, W., 16 Keats Rd., Kalamunda, 6076 
WARBURTON, Greg., 56 Recreation Rd., Kalamunda, 6076 
WARD, Hector J., 14 Burke Drive, Attadale, 6156 
WARHAM, Dr. John, Zoology Dept., University of Canterbury, Christ¬ 
church, N.Z. (B.) 

WATERHOUSE, R. S.. Yanchep National Park, Yanchep, 6065 
WATERHOUSE, Mrs. B. V., Yanchep National Park, Yanchep, 6065 
WATSON, Dr. A. T., 14 Duncraig Rd., Applecross, 6153 
WATSON, O. D., 29 Nelson Rd., Albany, 6330 
WEBSTER, H. O., Lot 108 Ulster Rd., Albany, 6330 (B., Sp.) 
WELLINGTON, Mrs. B. D., 3 Rich St.. Gooseberry Hill, 6076 
WELLMAN, Mrs. J., Bindaree Tcc., Kingsley, 6024 
WELLS, A. G., 22 Nautilus Cres., Scarborough, 6019 (B., Bot., Geol.) 
WELLS, Mrs. B. A., 22 Nautilus Cres., Scarborough, 6019 
WELLS. R. W., c/- Divn. of Natural Science, N.T. Museum, P.O. Box 
4646, Darwin, N.T., 5794 

WESTON, Dr. A. S., 1/16 Bellevue Tcc., West Perth, 6005 
WETTENHALL. Dr. N., Aberfeldie. 14 Lascelles Ave., Toorak, Vic., 
3142 (B.) 

WHITE, Mrs. Eleanor. 46 The Avenue, Nedlands, 6009 
WHITE, R. C., 28 Birchwood Ave., Woodlands, 6018 
WHITE, Mrs., 28 Birchwood Ave.. Woodlands, 6018 
WHITE, S. R., 67 Moray Ave., Floreat Park, 6014 
WHITING, N., 1 Miller Ave., Rcdcliffc, 6104 
WHITING, Mrs. N., 1 Miller Ave.. Redcliffe, 6104 
WHITEHOUSE. G. V., 7 Pearsall St.. Mullaloo, 6025 
WHITTAKER, Mrs. G. R., 

WHITTAKER, J. P. 


xv 


WHITTINGTON, Aubrey J., 2 Nairn Rd., Applecross, 6153 
WHITTINGTON, Mrs. Florence, 2 Nairn Rd., Applecross, 6153 
WIGGINS, B. R., Cranbrook Bakery, Cranbrook, 6321 
WILLIAMS, D. O., 66 Viking Rd., Dalkeith, 6009 
WILLIAMS. Mrs. Jeanette A., 66 Viking Rd.. Dalkeith, 6009 
WILLIAMSON, H. C., 36 Burke Drive, Attadale, 6156 
WILLIAMSON. Mrs. Ruth. 36 Burke Drive, Attadale, 6156 
WILSON, Mrs. A., 493 Great Eastern H’way, Greenmount, 6056 
WILSON. A. S.. 12 Morgan St., Shenton Park, 6008 
WILSON, Dr. B. R., 12 Morgan St., Shenton Park, 6008 
WILSON, Mrs. Helen, 44 Farrant St„ Gooseberry Hill, 6076 
WILSON, I. J., c/- Dept, of Agriculture, Jerramungup, 6337 
WILSON, R. G., 493 Great Eastern H’way, Greenmount, 6056 
WITTWER, E.. c/- Kings Park Board Office, West Perth, 6005 
WOLFF, The Hon. Sir Albert, K.C.M.G., 151 The Esplanade, Mt. 

Pleasant, 6153 

WOODMAN, Miss Alison, 16 Kanowna Ave., Rcdcliffe, 6104 
WOODS, Dr. J. D.. 45 Irvine St., Peppermint Grove, 601 1 
WOODS, Mrs. F. S. B., 45 Irvine St., Peppermint Grove, 6011 (B.) 
WORRELL, Eric, Australian Reptile Park, Pacific H’way, Gosford North, 

N.S.W. 2250 (A„ G.. R.) 

WRIGHT, William, c/- P.O., Yundurup, 6208 

WRIGHT, Mrs. Josephine, c/- P.O., Yundurup, 6208 

WYCHERLEY, Dr. P. R.. c/- Kings Park Board Office, West Perth, 6005 

WYLIE, K., 25 King Albert Rd.. Trigg. 6020 

WYLIE, Mrs. A., 25 King Albert Rd., Trigg, 6020 


YOUNG, Miss Jennifer, G.P.O. Box F350, Perth, 6001 
YOUNG, Miss Phyllis, 45 Floyd St.. Trigg, 6020 


Printed by General Printing, a division of West Australian Newspapers Ltd. 





:\G 


THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN 

NATURALIST- 


'/ CT 




Vol. 13 


July, 1974 


No. 1 


THE BIRDS OF THE NOW NON-EXISTENT CAUSEWAY SALT 
MARSHES, PERTH, W.A. 

By M. K. TARBURTON, Fulton College, Suva, Fiji. 

Summary 

The Causeway mudflats, a tidal marsh area close to Perth, was destroyed by the 
combined activities of water skiers, council rubbish men and road builders during the 
period from December, 1963 to 1969 Before this time the area was an important refuge 
and feeding area for many waterfowl and waders. A brief description of the communities 
is followed by an analysis of their birds. Counts of species and individuals on a monthly 
basis furnish the basis of the study. 

INTRODUCTION 

The area of study consisted of so-called “wasteland” centred around 
a tidal backwater 22 km inland along the Swan River. Situated only 3 km 
from the centre of Perth it was thus cut off from all other areas of bush- 
land thereby eliminating some of those bird species that are shy of man’s 
habitations. 

The northern side was bounded by the relatively undisturbed waters 
of the Swan River; the west by Heirisson Island and the six-laned cause¬ 
way bridges; the southern border was marked by a stand of Flooded 
Gum (Eucalyptus rudis), houses and the Great Eastern Highway; the 
eastern perimeter was formed by a cement factory and the Perth City 
Council rubbish dump. The area itself comprised six distinct commun¬ 
ities. 

THE COMMUNITIES 

I. Rubbish Dump. To many in authority the rubbish dump was the 
obvious fulfilment of such a site so close to the city and so prone 
to the breeding of the salt-water mosquitoes. This community pro¬ 
vided conditions suitable only for Silver Gulls (Larus novaehollan- 
diae) and the occasional Raven (Corvus coronoides). 

II. Rush Beds. Adjacent to the rubbish dump and running north beside 
the cement factory and south beside the road to the tip was an 
extensive series of rush beds. These were broken by open patches of 
mud and a stand of dead paperbarks (Melaleuca sp.). 

III. Salt Flats. The third community constituted virtually the rest of the 
land above the high tide mark. Abnormal highwater levels did how¬ 
ever inundate this section. Such tides occurred when excessive rain 
fell in the catchment area of the Swan River or when a Spring or 
Neap Tide coincided with a moderate rainfall. Such flooding occurred 
only two or three times a year but would last for ten or even more 
days. The main plant equipped to survive over most of this area was 
the Beaded Glasswort or Samphire (Salicornia australis). However the 
Marsh Club Rush (Scirpus maritimus) and a Glasswort (Arthroc- 
nemum bidens) grew' in fairly well defined sections of this area. 
The Glassworts provided three main functions: roosts for the Chats, 
Pipits and Songlarks; food and protection for numerous insects and 
camouflage for waterbirds and waders during periods of high tides. 
This last function was particularly noticeable with the Golden Plovers 
(Pluvialis dominica) which rarely seemed to leave the Causeway area 
during summer. On the south side some of this zone had been turned 
into rough pasture presenting patches of introduced grasses and the 
natural plants. White-faced Herons (Ardea noyaehollandiae) and White 
Egrets (Ef>retta alba) were often seen stalking frogs and Gambusia 
amongst the plants and along the drains of this community. 


1 





Fig. 1.—The Causeway Salt Marshes as they were in 1961. Dots represent 
posts, mainly fence posts. Fairly straight lines represent hand-dug drainage 
channels. The Highway that was built in 1970 passes across the map from 
the word “Highway” to just above the words “scale in metres”. Other 
plants found in quantities too small to be shown on the map are Pale 
Goosefoot (Chenopodium glaucum), Seablight (Suaeda australis) and Acacia 

cyanophylla. 

IV. The largest population of birds occurred in the stretch of mud 
between low and high tide levels and the small amount of water in 
the inlet during low tide. In effect the area could only be used by 
birds during medium or low tides. During medium tides ducks were 
the most noticeable of the avifauna but waders were often abum 
dant. At times the mud in this area was quite firm and could be 
walked on—but after it had been under water it usually became 
very soft and one sunk to one’s knees in traversing the area. This 
would deter observers from working this area for regular study. 

2 





































800- 



Fig. 2. — Column graph showing monthly means of the number of indi¬ 
vidual birds in all communities, 1961-65 inclusive. The shaded component 
shows the proportion and number of migratory waders. 


The mud contained many polychaete worms which anglers per¬ 
iodically collected. Small Crustacea were also evident. There were 
no mud whelks as found on other more solid tidal flats of the Swan 
River Estuary. 

V. This is the sandy beach of the river shore. It is composed of coarse 
sand and broken shell but in places gives way to mud. The beach 
zone was and still is bordered by the Shore Rush (Juncus maritimus). 
The birds that made use of this area were the terns, cormorants, gulls 
and sometimes Red-capped Dotterels. Sheoaks (Casuarina obesa) and 
the Shrubby Glasswort (Arthrocnenwm halocncmoides) also provided 
shelter for some of these birds along the flood formed levee banks. 

VI. In the open waters of the river brown algae grew in the deeper 
parts and here could be found such fauna as Mullet, Blowfish, Gob- 
bleguts, Pipe-fish, Cobbler and School Prawns. The birds that used 
this area were Cormorants, Pelicans and Coots. 


3 

































THE DESTRUCTION OF THE COMMUNITIES 
The rubbish dump had for some years been slowly encroaching oh 
the rush beds and mud flats. As shown in Figure 1 the dump covered 
quite a large area by 1961. 

The year 1964 saw a marked decrease in the Cormorant and Grebe 
populations in the river because of the first continued use of the river, 
immediately above the causeway, by power boats and skiers. This activity 
commenced in December 1962. The Coots also seemed to be detrimen- 
tally affected. They were present in strength in 1962, but only two 
appeared in the 1963-64 season. 

Although the boat club used a ski jump, large modifications to the* 
physical aspects of the environment did not commence until a large fleet 
of trucks started covering a strip of mud in order to re-route the Great 
Eastern Highway. They carted the initial sand from where the State 
Government offices now stand near Kings Park. This was dumped at 
depths of 6 to 8 feet over the salt marshes in line with the new highway 
route. 

After this the dumping of filling and rubbish accelerated until the 
whole area was completely altered, a great loss to the bird fauna of the 
Swan River. 


20 - 



Fig. 3.—Column graph showing monthly means for the number of species 
present at the Causeway during 1961-1965 inclusive. The shaded com¬ 
ponent represents the proportion and number made up by migratory 

waders. 

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES 

Hoary-headed Grebe, Poaiceps poliocephalus. —Quite often present. 
The most seen was 15 on 29 April 1962. The area was too tidal for it 
to breed. 

Australian Pelican. Pelecanus conspicillatus. —Three to 8 often seen 
“sailing” in the river or fishing in the backwaters for the schools of fish 
that occurred there. At times groups of up to 30 (24 December 1961) 
were seen spiralling in the air currents to great heights. 

Black Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo. —Common but not abundant 
and rarely seen after the ski club took occupation of the river in Dec¬ 
ember 1963. 

Little Black Cormorant, Phalacrocorax snlcirostris ,—Common but 
not abundant, except on 9 May 1963 when 70 were seen flying down¬ 
stream. 

Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax varius .—The least common of the 


4 
































cormorants and seen only during summer months—apparently liking only 
salt water. 

Little Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax melanoleucos. —Present mainly 
during the summer months. 

White Egret, Egretta alba. —One to 6 often seen in Communities IV 
and V until the middle of 1963. 

White-faced Heron, Ardca novaehollandiae. —Nearly always present 
throughout the year in Communities II, III and IV. The most seen were 
31 on 18 February 1965. 

White-necked Heron, Ardca pacifica. —One only seen, 10 February 
1963. 

Straw-necked Ibis, Threskiornis spinicollis. —Up to 6 were seen in 
December 1961 and could have constituted a portion of the birds which 
move down the western edge of the Darling Scarp to the Pinjarra breed¬ 
ing area in the summer. 

Black Swan, Cygnus atratus .—The numbers started falling off during 
1963. Birds were most abundant from April to June. For 1962 these 
were the only months they were seen. Sometimes birds flew in during 
the day but more often they were heard calling as they flew over 
nearbv Victoria Park during the night. 

Mountain Duck, Tadorna tadornoides. —One to three were seen at odd 
times up to February 1963. 

Black Duck, Anas superciliosa. —These birds often mixed with the 
Grey Teal on the mud-flats of the inlet but were just as often found on 
the open waters of the river. Before their decline in 1963-1965 groups 
of up to 35 were fairly common. They seemed to prefer the protection 
and easy food provided at city parks such as Queen’s Gardens, Hyde 
Park, Shenton Park Lake and Monger’s Lake. 

Grey Teal, Anas gibberifrons. —An abundant bird making particular 
use of the mud flats. Although up to 240 were seen the bird was rare 
during winter and spring when presumably it made use of areas normally 
dry during summer. The bird showed no signs of decline until after 
February 1965. 

Introduced ducks.—The area often contained a Khaki Campbell or 
a black and white escapee. 

Black-shouldercd Kite, Elanus notati/s. —A single bird seen a number 
of times in 1962. There were two birds seen in May of the same year. 

Swamp Harrier, Circus approximates. —A common though brief vis¬ 
itor to the area. If there were no dead birds the individual moved on 
after half an hour or so. 

Brown Falcon, Falco berigora. —An occasional visitor. 

Nankeen Kestrel, Falco cenchroides. —A fairly regular predator in this 

area. 

Little Falcon, Falco longipennis. —Two seen on nearby Heirisson 
Island. 

Quail.—A large quail was noticed dead in the Salicornia in 1962, 
but the corpse was missing when I went to collect it. 

Western Swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio. —One or two occasionally 
seen in Community II. 

Coot, Fulica atra. —The middle of March 1962 saw an influx of birds 
onto the open water immediately above the southern arch of the cause¬ 
way. By May some were penetrating the inlet but most dived for the 
brown weeds of the river. The numbers steadily rose until about 10 June 
when I counted 180 birds. In the following year two birds were seen— 
the last my records show. 

Banded Plover, Zonifer tricolor .—Small groups fly over more often 
than land in the area. They prefer the grassed areas of Langley Park, 
Heirisson Island and the old Maylands airport. 

Grey Plover, Pluvialis squatarola. —Not common, only seen on nine 
occasions when one to ten individuals were present. 

Eastern Golden Plover, Pluvialis dominica .—It is interesting that al¬ 
though this plover is much less plentiful in south-western Australia than 
the Grey Plover (vide Serventy and Whittell) it was more common at 


5 


the Causeway. It was seen in groups of 3 to 60 on 31 occasions. Only 
seen between September and April. Birds were seen in both these months 
in 1962; the year when I saw quite a few hundred waders leave the Swan 
River Estuary and fly north over Kings Park on 21 April. Not quite 
four months later (13 September) some of the 7 Golden Plovers seen at 
the Causeway were still in breeding plumage. Of course these birds may 
not have been in the group that left on 21 April. Since the area’s habitats 
have been destroyed I have seen 8 on nearby Heirisson Island (1967). 

Black-fronted Dotterel, Charadrius melanops. —Two or three seen 
several times during April and May of 1962. 

Red-capped Dotterel, Charadrius ruficapillus. —A common bird but 
I never saw it during winter. Numbers varied between one and 150 on 
35 visits, giving a mean count of 35 birds. 

Eastern Curlew, Numenius madagascariensis .—One or two recorded 
on 18 occasions between September and March. 

Little Whimbrel, Numenius minutus. —One seen on 20 December 1964. 

Bar-tailed Godwit, Limosa lapponica. —Four seen twice during October 
1962. 

Common Sandpiper, Tringa hypoleucos. —One or two seen occasion¬ 
ally—but seen more often on the stone wall around Heirisson Island. 

Grccnshank, Tringa nebularia. —One to four regularly seen. From my 
observations this bird would seem to leave and return later than the other 
migratory waders (early May and late October). 

Curlew Sandpiper, Erolia ferruginea .—This was a fairly common res¬ 
ident of the muddy areas during summer. Numbers varied from one to 75. 

Little Stint, Erolia ruficollis. —Although the most common of the 
migratory waders in Australia, the largest number seen in this area at any 
one time was only 130. There was a mean of 41 over 28 of my visits. 
This is small when compared with the 4,000 that I have seen at another 
part of the Swan River. 

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Erolia acuminata. —This was the most common 
migratory wader at the Cau«seway. It was present on 27 of my visits with 
an average of 74 birds and a range of four to 350. 

White-headed Stilt, Himantopus himantopus. —Groups of one to 40 
fairly common. 

Avocet, Recurvirostra novaehollandiae. —Their numbers reached a peak 
each summer, 260 were the most birds ever seen. Over 37 trips the mean 
number observed was 68. 

Silver Gull, Larus novaehollandiae. —In consequence of the rubbish tip 
having been started before I commenced this study this species was present 
in every month of the year; 650 birds was the maximum counted. 

Caspian Tern, Hydroprogne caspia. — One to 7 birds seen fishing in 
the river or resting on the sandy beach. 

Crested Tern, Sterna hergii. —About as common as the Caspian Tern; 
9 being the most seen. 

Fairy Tern, Sterna nereis. —This species was not nearly as common 
as on other parts of the Swan River. Two only seen twice in 1963. 

Welcome Swallow, Ilirundo neoxena. —Small numbers seen each year 
during the December to March period. 

Australian Tree Martin, Petrochelidon nigricans. —More common than 
the swallow. The only months when it was not seen were October and 
November. 

Australian Pipit, Anthus novaeseelandiae.—A common inhabitant of 
the area; found nesting during August on Heirisson Island. 

Brown Songlark, Cinclorhamphus cruralis. —Up to 4 were seen during 
1962-63 (December, January, June). 

Little Grass-bird, Megalurus gramineus. —Up to 6 recorded in the 
Giant-Rush beds of Community II. This area was ideal for rush birds and 
although I never heard the Reed Warbler I am sure it must have been 
there in the earlier years. 

Blue-and-White Wren, Malurus leuconotus. —I have seen up to 6 
including at times a fully plumaged male. These sightings were made on 


6 


Heirisson Island during 1962-63. This is their southernmost known limit 
(vide Serventy and Whittell). 

White-fronted Chat, Epthianura albifrons. —Found only in the warmer 
months. The range being one to 20 though I have seen 40 on Heirisson 
Island. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

I would like to acknowledge help given by Dr. D. L. Serventy and 
Miss C. A. Nicholls in the early stages of bird identification. Also Messrs. 
A. S. George, T. E. H. Aplin and B. Maslin of the Western Australian 
Herbarium for help in identification of plants. 

BIRDS OF THE GIBB ROCK AREA 

By E. H. SEDGWICK 

Summary 

An annotated list of 89 species identified at Gibb Rock 309 km jusi south of 
east of Perth, between 1966 and 1973, with more detailed notes on the effects of 
progressive farm development on the status of particular species as the originally virgin 
sandplain-mallee habitat becomes modified. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF AREA UNDER CONSIDERATION: 

Gibb Rock is 61 kilometres E.S.E. of Narembcen and 32 kilometres 
N.N.E. of Hydcn. 

Just south of Gibb Rock is ‘Sedgmoor’, Location 2672, the property 
in which the writer is interested. This was acquired and has been developed 
by Malcolm C. Sedgwick (M.C.S.). It was in a primitive state—typical 
sandplain-mallee country. A shed was built and clearing commenced in 
late 1966 and 200 hectares of crop put in in May, 1967. The first dam 
was put down in 1969, but remained dry until filled by summer rains in 
February, 1970. At the time of writing, 810 hectares—nearly half of the 
property—have been cleared and cultivated. 

An unusual feature of the farm is a natural soak, almost circular 
and 1.3 hectares in area. As this soak at times provides almost a hectare 
of open water, it is probable that the original avifauna included water- 
frequenting birds of several species which would not have occurred if 
the soak had not been there. 

Landmarks mentioned are: The Humps, 17 kilometres S.S.W., Wave 
Rock, 29 kilometres in the same direction; Holleton, 27 kilometres N. and 
Mount Walker, 27 kilometres W.N.W. 

NATURAL VEGETATION OF MAIN STUDY AREA: 

Vegetation is of the mallee-scrub-plain type. Salmon Gum (Eucalyptus 
salmonophloia) and Wandoo ( Euc . wandoo) occur very sparingly and 
there are thickets of Gimlet (Euc. salubris). Malice forms, occurring 
mainly in loose, scattered, clumps, arc Tall Sandplain Malice (Euc. erenw- 
phila, Lcrp Malice (Euc. incrassata), Oldfield’s Mallee (Euc. olcifielcli) and 
Morrel (Euc. longicornis). 

Casuarina acutivalvis, locally known as Wodjil, dominates considerable 
areas in which malices do not occur. Shrubs of the Family Myrtaceae 
form another dominant element. 

Other plants occurring in the area are: Acacia gruffiana, A. merral- 
lii, A. multispicata, Exocarpus aphyllus, Grevillea hookcriana, G. shuttle - 
worthiana, fJakea coriacea, II. falcata , II. platysperma, Comesperma vol- 
ubile , Dryandra (sp.), Astartea heteranthera , Thryptomene kochii, Micro- 
myrtus imbricata, Cha/naelaucium megalopetalum, Verticordia acerosa, V. 
chrysantha, V. insignis, Calytrix ?brachyphylla, Beau fortia micrantha, Mir - 
India floribunda, Hibbertia exasperata, Leucopogon wood si i } L. dielsianus. 
Brachylonut concolor, Eremophila drumtnondii, Phebalium filifolia, P. 
tuberculosum var. tuberculosum, Synaphea (sp.). Drumniondita hassellii, 
Pimclea angustifolia, P. sylvestris. Olearia muelleri, Dampiera wellshna, 
Leschenaultia formosa, Drosera macrautha, Caladenia cairnsiana, C. roei, 
C. saccharata, C. filamentosa, Pterostylis vittata. 

This list is not exhaustive, of course. Specimens of plants, in blossom 
where possible, were collected from the area being cleared, as opportunity 
offered, in a largely random manner. 


7 


OBSERVED ORDER OF APPEARANCE OF FARMLAND SPECIES 
FOLLOWING CLEARING AT ‘SEDGMOOR’ 


Welcome Swallow 
Australian Bustard 
White-fronted Chat 
Western Magpie 
Banded Plover 
Australian Pipit 
Willy Wagtail 
Hooded Robin 
Stubble Quail 
Australian Dotterel 
Chestnut-breasted Shelduck 
White-faced Heron 
Brown Songlark 


March 1967 
March 1967 
March 1967 
March 1967 
May 1967 
August 1967 
August 1967 
May 1968 
December 1968 
May 1969 
March 1970 
May 1970 
September 1970 


Since 1966 the writer has visited the property at least twice annually, 
the two principal visits in each year being in May and in late August 
and early September, so that most of his personal observations are con¬ 
fined to those periods. 


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

Assistance from the officers of the Western Australian Herbarium 
who identified specimens of plants taken in the area cleared for cultiva¬ 
tion, and from my son, Lindsay Sedgwick, who provided information on 
the Eucalypts which he had collected in this area, is gratefully acknow¬ 
ledged. 

LIST OF SPECIES 

Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae. —Single birds and parties of up to 
twelve have been seen from time to time. A disused nest with two 
intact eggs and a few egg shells was found in mallee scrub in Septem¬ 
ber 1972. 

Little Grebe. Podiceps novaehollandiae *—In May 1971 a few birds 
were present on the large soak on “Sedgmoor” which had been filled by 
heavy rains in March. As partly submerged tea-tree provided ample cover, 
the number present could not be determined. The birds were calling 
frequently. When I revisited the area in August, Little Grebe were present 
and calling. 

Hoary-headed Grebe. P. poliocephalns. —In Mav 1968 one bird was 
seen on a dam between Narcmbcen and Mt. Walker. Two birds in breeding 
plumage were present on a dam at Holleton on September 5, 1971. 

White-faced Heron. A i dea novaehollandiae. —On August 29. 1968, 
I encountered one bird by a temporary pool at the foot of Mt. Walker. 
I first saw herons at “Sedemoor” on May 18, 1970. These two birds were 
in flight, but had probably been at the dam put down in 1969, but dry 
until February 1970. 

Chestnut-breasted Shelduck, Tadorna tadornoides .—Observed, usually 
bv dams, on the well established farms between Narembeen and Mt. 
Walker, but not seen at ‘‘Sedgmoor” until early 1970 when M.C.S. re¬ 
corded two at the dam mentioned in the previous note. Two birds were 
again recorded in May 1972. 

Grey Teal, Anas pibberifrons. —Noted by a dam on farmland between 
Narembeen and Mt. Walker on March 27, 1967 and first seen at “Sedg¬ 
moor” on May 17, 1971 when I found c. 200 birds on the Soak, which 
had been filled by cyclonic rains in late March. These birds were eafctly 
alarmed and flushed several times while I was working in the vicinity. 
The following day they were gone, but on May 25 birds were again 
present. On August 2, only two birds could be seen and these took cover 
in the partly submerged tea-trees. 

Maned Goose, Chenonetta jubata. —In 1968, I flushed c. 20 birds 
from a roadside pool c. 5 kilometres west of “Sedgmoor” and a Week 
later saw three birds by a dam c. 5 kilometres west of Mt. Walker. In 


8 


September, I saw three birds in flight c. 10 kilometres south of “Sedg- 
moor”. 

Black-shouldered Kite, Elanus notatus. —Two birds seen over “Sedg- 
moor” in September 1967 were probably of this species. M.C.S. identi¬ 
fied the species definitely early in 1970 when he observed one hovering 
over the farmland. Others have been noted between Mt. Walker and 
Narembeen. 

Collared Sparrowhawk, Accipiter cirrocephalus, —One bird observed 
on a heap of roots in the farmyard on August 30, 1968. Almost certainly 
a cock bird, it appeared quite small in contrast with a Raven perched 
nearby. 

Little Eagle, Hierdaetus morphnoides. —A bird seen at a distance on 
September 3, 1968 was apparently of this species. 

Wedge-tailed Eagle, Aquila malax. —M.C.S. reported two rather light 
coloured birds at “Scdgmoor” on March 1, 1969. On August 30, 1970, I 
saw one bird over the uncleared part of the property and two days later 
saw one bird rather persistently pursuing a Corvus over one of the sheep 
paddocks. On August 23, 1969, 1 flushed one bird from the roadside near 
the Humps, a rock outcrop between Hyden and Gibb Rock. 

Spotted Harrier, Circus assimilis. —One was seen on May 16, 1970, 
flying low over a sheep paddock. On May 17, 1972, one bird was observed 
in the same area. 

Little Falcon, Falco longipennis. —One bird noted in a tree 13 kilo¬ 
metres east of Narembeen on May 20, 1967. 

Brown Hawk, F. berigora. —One bird was noticed on “Sedgmoor” 
shortly after clearing commenced and by May 1967 had become very 
confiding, permitting an approach to within five metres. The following 
May two birds were present and taking a keen interest in farming opera¬ 
tions. However by August 1968 neither bird could be located. This pair 
was replaced early in 1969 by a bird lighter in colour than the original 
one and much more wary. This, or a similar bird, is still present. 

Kestrel, F. cenchroides. —These birds occur throughout the general 
area. I first recorded one on the farm in May 1967 and have since seen 
individuals occasionally during both May and August visits. The presence 
of these birds in August is not surprising, but I would not have expected 
them in this part of the whcatbelt in May. 

Mallee-fowl, Leipoa ocellata. —In September 1966 we obtained good 
views of single birds by the roadside near Hyden. None has been seen 
on the farm, but I have located five nests within, or adjacent to, the 
boundaries. All were in fair order, but I have no evidence of recent use. 
M.C.S. has seen a bird of this species ten kilometres to the north-west 
of the farm on the Gibb Rock road and another bird sixteen kilometres to 
the south-west. 

Stubble Quail, Coturnix pectoralis. —This species was first noted on 
December 29, 1968. While working in the wheat crop we located a walnut- 
sized chick, still in the down, but active. When pressed, it ‘froze’ and 
when touched it closed its eyes. We found a nest in a clump of mallee 
suckers. This contained the shells of two eggs apparently hatched normally. 
Since that time birds appear to have been present on cultivated areas, 
but in fluctuating numbers. In late August 1969 birds were calling both 
day and night, particularly about the time of the full moon on August 
27. Observations since made at the same period indicated no activity in 
1970 and 1972 and only daylight activity in 1971. 

Little Quail, Titrnix velox. —A bird seen by vehicle headlight as it 
moved from a fallow into a shelter belt appeared rather small and could 
have been of this species. On August 27, 1972, I saw three small quail 
in an aviary on Mr. Wm. Lang's Gibb Rock property. One bird was 
larger than the other two, presumably a female. At least one had a 
distinct white median stripe on the crown. The birds lacked a hind toe. 
They had been taken locally, from the same nest, in a crop. 

Australian Bustard, Eupodotis australis .—On March 24, 1967, I noted 
the remains of a bird apparently killed by poachers at a camp near Gibb 


9 


Rock. In May 1968 pairs of birds appeared on “Sedgmoor” and on an 
adjacent property. Mr. A. Powell, the owner, was anxious to preserve 
his birds and urged us not to shoot ours! M.C.S. observed that at “Sedg- 
moor” the birds appeared from the scrub-plain to the south, usually late 
in the afternoon. In August 1969 two birds were again appearing in the 
same area. In August 1960, M.C.S. reported two birds on another part 
of the property and further records were made in the summer of 1970-71. 
This limited evidence suggests spring-summer occurrences. One was 
flushed from a sheep paddock in September 1972. A little previously, 
thirteen birds had been seen on Mr. Powell’s property. 

Banded Plover, Zonifer tricolor .—Plovers appeared on the farm 
shortly after the completion of the initial clearing operations. Seven birds 
were present on newly ploughed land in May 1967. Birds have remained 
without marked increase in numbers. A nest with four eggs was located 
on August 21, 1971 and young chicks recorded on May 24 and 25, 1971. 
A young bird was noted in early September 1972. 

Australian Dotterel, Peltohyas australis. —On September 3, 1968, 1 
saw two birds at the roadside six kilometres south of “Sedgmoor” and 
in the following May M.C.S. reported the species present on cultivated 
land on the farm. 1 saw one. Thereafter birds have been seen frequently 
in flocks of up to twenty and perhaps even more. Mating was observed 
in May, nests with eggs in February, April, May and June, downy chicks 
in May, June and September and distraction display in February, May 
and August, suggesting that breeding occurs from February to September 
inclusive. It appears possible that breeding is triggered by falls of rain, 
but further data on this arc desirable. 

White-headed Stilt, Hinumtopus himantopus .—In late August 1968 
we located three birds on salt pans just east of Narembeen. 

Southern Stone-Curlew, Bitrhinus nuignirostris. —Two calls—not a 
sequence—which I attributed to this species, were heard in the early hours 
of August 27, 1972, a moon-lit night, Mr. Wm. Lang of Gibb Rock, has 
heard these birds on two occasions and once encountered two, an adult 
and a young bird, 16 kilometres to the south. He captured the young 
bird for examination. 

Common Bronzewing, Phaps chalcoptera. —In March and May 1967 
I saw birds in the vicinity of the farm and, in August, on the farm. Since 
then we have seen them from time to time, usually on cultivated land 
adjacent to scrub-plain. Birds have also been seen at the Humps. 

Crested Pigeon, Ocyphaps lophotes. —Parties of up to at least twelve 
have been noted throughout the district. The first record for the farm 
was on September 2, 1969, when two flew from a fallow and perched in 
the southern boundary fence. It is possible that the birds occur in above 
average density in the vicinity of the Mount Walker wheat bin. 

Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Glossopsitta porphyrocephala. —First noted 
at “Sedgmoor" in March 1967 and recorded in the vicinity from time to 
time during 1967-68-69. 

White-tailed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhyncluis banditti. —On Septem¬ 
ber 3, 1969, c. twelve birds flew over the farm. 

Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, C. banksi. —M.C.S. has observed that 
both species of black cockatoo occur near Narembeen. 

Galah, Cacatua roseicapilla. —Galahs are fairly frequent on the 
established farms in the district. So far only single birds or small flocks 
have visited “Sedgmoor”, the first recorded appearing over the cleared 
area in August 1967. 

Regent Parrot, Polytelis anthopeplus. —Our records are few—one on 
May 13, 1967 sixteen kilometres east of Narembeen, one on or about 
September 1, 1967 in flight over the cleared portion of the farm and birds 
were thrice noted in flight over the farm between August 23 and Septem¬ 
ber 2, 1969. 

Western Rosella, Platycercus icterotis. —Noted twenty-one kilometres 
east of Narembeen and, one bird, just south of “Sedgmoor”. 


10 


Port Lincoln Parrot, Barnardius zonarius. —Occurs in both developed 
and undeveloped areas—mainly mallee—but is not particularly frequent. 

Mulga Parrot, Psenhotus varius. —Noted at Mount Walker and in 
mallee just south of “Sedgmoor”. 

Elegant Parrot, Neophenta elegans. —Recorded five kilometres west 
of Hyden and, sparingly, between Narembeen and Gibb Rock. 

Pallid Cuckoo, Cuculus pallidas. —Heard and seen in August-Septem- 
ber 1967, heard calling in August-September 1968 and seen at Hyden in 
September 1972. Most records were made where cleared land adjoined 
bushland. 

Fantailed Cuckoo, Cacomantis pyrrhophanus. —Noted, calling, in Gibb 
Rock area in September 1968, May 1969, August 1969, August-September 
1970 and May 1971. In August 1970, I noted this species at the Humps 
also. 

Narrow-billed Bronze Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx basalts .—Seen and heard 
in August 1967. Noted calling in September 1968, August 1969, August- 
September 1970 and August 1971, always in uncleared areas. This species 
was also recorded at the Humps in August. 

Boobook Owl, Ninox novaeseelandiae. —M.C.S. reported a bird roost¬ 
ing in the farm shed. Pellets and excreta were present on a truck which 
had been standing under one of the roof transoms. 

Winking Owl, N. connivens. —On September 6, 1968 while walking 
through a stand of gimlet (Eucalyptus salubris) and mallee along the 
northern boundary of the farm, I flushed two birds from, I think, a 
height of one metre or less. I could not relocate them. One evening, at a 
later date, I heard calls from the same area. 

Barn Owl, Tyto alba. —In May 1970, while driving after dark, owls 
were twice seen on a sub-dividing fence on the farm. In September 1970, 
a bird was flushed on a neighbour’s property. When we returned about 
thirty minutes later, a bird again rose from a fence post. 

Tawny Frogmouth, Podargus strigoides. —A bird flushed in the deep 
dusk from farmland was probably of this species and in August 1971, I 
flushed two birds from the ground in mallee adjacent to the farm. 

Spotted Nightjar, Eurostopodus guttatus. —During the evening of 
August 31, 1968, I heard calls of this species from scrubland adjacent to 
the farm. On August 30, 1970, I twice flushed a bird from mallee with 
undergrowth of shrubs. M.C.S., on November 7, 1971, located and photo¬ 
graphed a bird sitting on one egg in the same general area. 

Rainbow bird, Merops ornatus. —In late December 1967 birds were 
in evidence in and about a patch of native vegetation left in one of the 
farm paddocks. No further records have been made. 

White-backed Swallow, Cheramoeca Icucosternuni. —On September 6, 
1966 one bird was seen just west of Hyden, near a sandy excavation. In 
May 1968, a few were seen, associated with Tree Martins, over “Sedg¬ 
moor” and in August 1968 two birds were seen travelling over farmland. 

Welcome Swallow, llirundo neoxena. —In March 1967 birds were 
present in the farm shed and were hawking over adjacent scrub-plain. 
Since that time birds have been about the shed, usually only one or two 
at a time. An unsuccessful breeding attempt was made in August-October 
1971. 

Tree Martin, Petrochelidon nigricans. —At dusk on May 26, 1967, a 
considerable number of birds, almost certainly of this species, drifted 
across the scrub-plain. In late August 1967, the species was definitely 
recorded at “Sedgmoor” and in May 1968, individuals were observed with 
White-backed Swallows, as noted above. Birds have also been seen at 
the Humps and at Holleton. 

Australian Pipit, Anthus novaeseelandiae. —In March 1967, birds were 
noted between Narembeen and Gibb Rock. In August 1967, birds were 
observed on the farm and by May the following year were well-distributed. 
Since that time birds have been numerous in the cleared areas. In Sep¬ 
tember 1970, I located a nest with three eggs in a wheat crop. 


11 


Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina novciehollandiae. —Birds noted 
occasionally, mainly in uncleared areas, and once at the Humps. 

Southern Scrub-robin, Drymodcs brunneopygia. —First noted on Sep¬ 
tember 7. 1966, when I was making my first inspection of the block. Its 
presence in numbers was confirmed in March 1967. Clearing has driven 
the species from the farmland, but it is still a frequent species in uncleared 
areas. M.C.S. located a nest with one egg on September 2, 1967. We have 
also noted the species at Hollcton. 

White-browed Babbler. Ponuitostomus siiperciliosus. —This is another 
species noted on the initial visit to “Sedgmoor”. Other records have been 
made since on or near the farm, between Narembeen and Gibb Rock, at 
the Humps and in Eucalyptus forest at Hollcton. 

Brown Songlark, Cinclorhamphus crurulis .—Noted only in September 
1970 when a bird appeared in the wheat crop. Its call seemed rather tenta¬ 
tive and weak. Later the bird—a cock—was seen perched on a fence post. 

Blue-breasted Wren, Malurus pulcherrimus. —Located from time to 
time on uncleared parts of the property and once in a shelter belt of native 
vegetation. This species was also noted at Holleton. All records have been 
made during my August-September visits, but this may not be significant. 

Western Warbler, G crygone fusca ,—Calling at the Humps on August 
29, 1970. 

Broad-tailed Thornbill, Acanthiza apicalis. —This has proved one of 
the most frequent species in uncleared areas and one which has a tendency 
to persist while any cover remains. A few remain in the shelter belts. A 
nest with two eggs was located on August 25, 1969. This species was noted 
at Holleton. 

Chestnut-tailed Thornbill, A. uropygialis. —Noted in Eucalyptus 
salmonophloia forest at the Humps, but its presence at Gibb Rock has 
still to be confirmed. 

Yellow-tailed Thornbill, A. chrysorrhoa. —This species occurs in forest 
at the Humps, near Hyden, and on the farmlands cast of Narembeen, but 
has not yet been located at Gibb Rock, 

Weebill, Smicrornis brevirostris. —Wecbills were noted on our initial 
visit to the farm block. They arc encountered consistently wherever 
eucalypts grow. Weebills are present at Holleton, the Humps, and Wave 
Rock also. 

Shy Ground Wren, Hylacola cauta. —This was one of the first species 
noted, on September 6, 1966. My only other encounter was on September 
6, 1970. In both instances the birds were in scrub-plain vegetation and 
permitted a close approach. Indeed, in the first instance the birds spent 
some time observing us closely. 

Field Wren, Calamanthus fuliginosus. —This was almost certainly the 
most frequent species on the farm. These birds disappear when the land 
is cleared, but they desert only in the last stages of clearing: while any 
cover remains, c.g. in areas chained and burned, they persist. Shelter belts 
provide them with adequate cover. In May 1967 I twice observed birds 
taking bread from our camp rubbish heap. Usually a bird picked up a 
beakful and ran to the adjacent scrub. 

White-fronted Chat, Epthianura alhifrons .—These birds appeared on 
the farmland as soon as cultivation commenced. We recorded them on 
burned areas, but they appear to favour the cultivated land and have 
increased in frequency, flocks of c. 20 birds being encountered. 

Crimson Chat. E. tricolor. —These birds appeared and were recorded 
by M.C.S. in September 1970. They frequented the roadside along the 
western* boundary of the farm. There were twelve to fifteen birds. They 
remained until early 1971 and probably disappeared at the onset of the 
winter rains. They were noted by two neighbours on farm properties to 
the west as ‘strangers’ in the area, so it would appear that there were at 
least three flocks in the vicinity. 

Brown Flycatcher, Microeca leucophoea. —Not yet sighted, but while 
working near the northern boundary of the farm on May 27, 1971, I heard 
a ‘peter-peter* call which I attributed to this species. 


12 


Red-capped Robin, Petroica goodenovii. —First recorded on May 17, 
1968—a bird calling on the edge of a clearing. In May 1969 a bird was 
calling from one of the shelter belts and in May 1972 one was perched 
on a fence beside a shelter belt. I have recorded the species in salmon gum 
forest at the Humps. 

Hooded Robin, P. cucullata. —On May 18, 1968, I encountered a pair 
of Hooded Robins flitting from heap to heap of stacked roots in a newly 
cleared paddock. In May 1971, a hen bird was present near the house, 
frequenting mainly the posts of the farmyard fence, and in May 1972 a 
cock bird was observed on a fence near the homestead dam. 

Western Yellow Robin, Eopsaltriu griseogularis. —Recorded in mallee 
adjacent to the farm on three occasions—August 1969, August 1970 and 
August 1971. The fact that all are August records is probably not signifi¬ 
cant: work pressures arc less in August than in May. 

Grey Fantail, Rhipidtira fuliginosa. —Noted in mallee adjacent to the 
farm on September 1, 1968 and on May 22, 1969. On August 29, 1970, I 
encountered the species in forest undergrowth at the Humps. 

Willy Wagtail, R. leucophrys. —In August 1969, 1 located two birds 
in undisturbed mallee just south of the farm and in August 1971, I again 
located two birds in the same area. Two birds took up residence near the 
house, which had been occupied since the previous October, at some time 
prior to May 15, 1971. However, 1 did not see these in August. There was 
a pair at the soak, which is surrounded by a belt of mallee. In May 1972, 
a pair was again present at the house and there appeared to be at least 
two other pairs on the developed portion of the farm. In August 1970, I 
recorded the species at the Humps. 

Golden Whistler, Pachycep/iala pectoralis. —These birds occur in 
mallee adjacent to the farm. 

Rufous Whistler, P. rufiventris. —Recorded in salmon gum forest at 
the Humps on August 29, 1970. 

Western Shrike-Thrush, Colluricincla rufiventris. —Noted in mallee on 
and adjacent to the farm on a number of occasions. It also occurs at the 
Humps in salmon gum forest. 

Crested Bellbird, Oreoica gutturalis. —Apparently fairly widespread in 
scrub plain areas both on and adjacent to the farm. Also recorded at the 
Humps. 

Red-tipped Pardalote, Pardalotus substriatus. —Recorded in mallee on 
a number of occasions during both May and August visits. I have recorded 
the species at the Humps and at Holleton also. 

Brown Honeyeatcr, Lichmera indistincta. —Noted fairly frequently in 
mallee areas on or adjacent to the farm, but all my records have been 
made in August-September visits. This may be significant, as at least two 
species of the malices frequented are blossoming at that time. Also noted 
at the Humps on August 29, 1970. 

Singing Honeyeatcr, Meliphaga virescens .—These birds are not par¬ 
ticularly frequent in this area—they are usually outnumbered by at least 
three other honeyeaters—the Brown, the Tawny-crowned and the White¬ 
eared. They occur mainly in the mallee areas at Gibb Rock, in forest at 
the Humps and in roadside vegetation between Narembeen and Gibb Rock. 

Yellow-plumed Honeyeatcr, M. ornata. —Recorded once, on August 
29, 1971 in a few Wandoo (Eucalyptus wandoo) trees—the only large trees 
in a predominantly mallee area. 

Purple-gaped Honeyeatcr, M. cratitia. —I located a flock of these 
birds in mallee adjacent to the farm on May 20, 1970 and re-located them 
on each subsequent visit until May 1972. 

White-eared Honeyeater, M. leucotis. —This characteristic mallee spe¬ 
cies is fairly frequent in mallee on and adjacent to the farm and has been 
noted on all visits, including May 1972 when, due perhaps to drought con¬ 
ditions, few other birds were observed. This species occurs at Wave Rock 
also. 

Brown-headed Honeyeater, Melithreptus brevirostris. —Recorded fairly 
consistently in mallee areas. 


13 


Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Gliciphilci melanops .—Frequent and well- 
distributed in sand-plain areas. On the farm it has shown some tendency to 
persist in shelter belts and other remnants of native vegetation. 

White-fronted Honeyeater. Phyliclonyris albifrons. —Recorded on only 
one occasion, on May 20, 1970, in malice just to the south of the farm. 

Dusky Miner. Manorhina flavigula. —Not observed at “Sedgmoor”, but 
birds have been observed between Narembeen and Gibb Rock and near 
the rabbit-proof fence between Gibb Rock and Hollcton. 

Red Wattle-bird, Anthochaera car u tic u lata. —First noted in the “Sedg¬ 
moor” area on September 3 1970, but they have not proved to be frequent. 
At the Humps, in forest, they arc much more conspicuous. At Hollcton, too. 
they occur in forest. 

Magpie-lark, Grallina cvanoleuca .—Birds may be seen at Ml. Walker 
and I have one record for farmland north of Gibb Rock. M.C.S. saw one 
bird on the farm shed in April 1972, but it did not remain. A similar 
visit took place in early September 1972. The species occurs in forest at 
the Humps. 

Black-faced Wood-Swallow, Artamus cinereus. —Wood-Swallows occur 
between Narembeen and Gibb Rock. Birds were first noted on the farm 
in August 1967. In May 1968 birds were present in an area being cleared 
and were active during burning operations. There arc other more recent 
records. 

Grey Currawong, Strepera versicolor. —Noted on our first visit to the 
farm block in March 1966 and thereafter recorded fairly frequently, singly 
or in parties of up to six. both on the farm and throughout the district. 

Grev Butcher-bird, Cracticus torquatus. —First noted on the farm on 
March 28, 1967, when birds were seen mobbing a (probable) Brown Hawk. 
More recent records from or adjacent to “Sedgmoor” are mainly for 
mallee areas. 

Pied Butcher-bird, C. nigrogtdaris .—Birds have not yet appeared on 
the farm, but have been noted in Hyden, at the Humps and at Mt. Walker. 

Western Magpie, Gymnorhina dorsalis. —In March 1967, six birds 
were present on the farm frequenting the newly cleared area but, in our 
absence, entering the shed either for shade or to forage. Eight birds were 
noted in May 1967. Since that time a flock has occupied a rather large 
territory comprising at least the cleared area, now 800 hectares. In May 
1972, fourteen birds were present and these may comprise two flocks of 
eight and of six respectively. The birds were at first very wary, but now 
some at least seem more confiding. Calls differ from those of our coastal 
birds—a distinct dialect. 

Raven. Corvus corotioides.—Corvus are widely distributed through 
the area. Birds found dead on the road—three—have all proved to be 
C. corotioides , though some calls heard at “Sedgmoor” have suggested 
C. bennetti, which occurs, no doubt, in this area. 

NOTES ON THE HERBACEOUS VEGETATION OF THE EUCLA 

DISTRICT, W.A. 

By B. M. J. HUSSEY, Mercedes College, Perth 
INTRODUCTION 

A considerable amount of botanical collecting has been done around 
Eucla, but mostly in the months of June-September. I visited the area in 
May 1973, when the ground was covered with a prolific growth of ephem- 
erals due to heavy rains some six weeks earlier. 

Willis (1959) lists the larger plants of the area and Johnson and Baird 
(1970) provide annotated descriptions of plants found at Forrest, some 
70 miles further inland. However I can find no readily available published 
information on the herbaceous flora and these short notes are intended to 
fit into that gap. 

Willis (1959) has described the various plant associations of the area 
in full, but a brief description is necessary here in order to set the scene. 

Apart from the Hampton Scarp, an old cliff-line that reaches the coast 


14 



at Wilson Bluff just east of Eucla, the land is a limestone plateau. Not 
completely level, however, it is very gently undulating in a series of clay- 
pans or “dongas” and ridges. From the coast to some 4-5 miles inland 
the ridges arc covered by mallee scrub. The dongas have a flora of grass 
and herbs. 

Northwards the trees thin out very rapidly leaving a few stunted 
Myall (Acacia sowdenii) on the ridges. In this area, both ridges and 
dongas have a flora of saltbush types, mainly from the family Chcnopo- 
diaceae, that have been well described elsewhere. Woodella Rockhole is 
6.5 miles along the Reid road from the Eucla Motel. 

DONGAS IN THE MALLEE AREA 

These seemed to be of two types, those with a lot of tussock grass 
(not identified) and those with little. Possibly, from the feel of the soil, 
the difference could be related to the amount of water that collects in 
them. Since the variation is subjective and not measured, the flora of 
both types will be described together. 

The dominant plant was the Twinleaf, Zygophyllum ovatum, which 
was abundant and in full flower, presenting the appearance of a luxur¬ 
iant rippling green meadow. Scattered among it were a number of other 
small plants, including Trisetum pumilum , Anguillaria dioica, Kochia lobi- 
jlora, Stenopetalum line arc, Swainsona cam pest ris, Erodium cicutarium , 
Oxalis corniculata, Euphorbia drummondii, Malva sp., Nicotiana good- 
speedii, Brachycome ciliaris, Calotis hispidula, and Isoetopsis graminiflora. 

RIDGES IN THE MALLEE AREA 

These supported relatively few herbs, but there were occasional 
patches of Kochia lobiflora and Zygophyllum ovatum. 

WOODELLA ROCKHOLE 

This is a sink-hole in the limestone found at the lowest part of a 
donga. It consists of a hole three feet across and four feet deep which 
contained water that was fresh but green. This lay in the centre of a 
roughly circular depression whose edges formed areas of shade and damp¬ 
ness where a variety of plants thrived. 

Some of the plants were especially luxuriant examples of those already 
seen, eg. Zygophyllum ovatum. Euphorbia drummondii, Brachycome cil¬ 
iaris , Isoetopsis graminifolia. 


Fig. I.—Woodella Rockhole. 


15 







However, a number of plants were found only at this and another 
rockhole. These were: Eragrostis dielsii, Triglochin calcitrapa, Phlegmato- 
spermum cochlearinum , Lepidium sp., Omphalolappula concava (also at 
Wilson Bluff), Crassula siekerana, Chenopodiiun album, C. melanocarpum, 
and also a Tetragonia sp. that had large cabbage-sized leaves covered with 
shiny globules of transparent stuff making a very squishy “ice-plant”. 

AMONG SALTBUSH 

The only annual was Zygophyllum ovation. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

Thanks arc given to the staff of the Western Australian Herbarium, 
who identified the plants. Thanks also to my companions on the trip 
who put up very patiently with a lot of extra stops for botanising. 

REFERENCES 

Johnson, E. R. L. and A. M. Baird. 1970. Notes on the Flora and Vege¬ 
tation of the Nullarbor Plain at Forrest, W.A. J. Roy. Soc. W. A list., 

53: 46-61. 

Willis, J. H. 1959. Notes on the Vegetation of the Eucla District, W.A. 

Muelleria, 1: 92-96. 

A MIGRATION OF VANESSA KERSHAWl (McCOY) (LEPIDOPTERA: 

NYMPHALIDAE) IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA 

By C. N. SM1THERS, The Australian Museum, Sydney 

The period 17 to 23 August, 1973 was spent on a field trip from 
Perth through Moora, Carnamah, Mingenew, Morawa, Wongan Hills, 
Northam, Narrogin and Collie and back to Perth. This round trip coin¬ 
cided with a migration of the Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa kershawi 
(McCoy) and provided an unusual opportunity to observe its progression. 
This species is known to be a migrant (Smithers and Peters, 1966; Smithers, 
1969) in eastern Australia; there are no published records of movement 
in Western Australia but migrations of varying extent are probably an¬ 
nual events, Mr. Noel McFarland (in litt.) having observed one near 
Geraldton in August, 1972. 

From 11 to 22 August very few butterflies were seen in the Perth 
area and none were V. kershawi; the weather was intermittently suitable 
for butterfly activity. 

On travelling north the first V. kershawi were seen 10 km south¬ 
east of Coorow where a count gave 6/i hr./45 metres, all flying in a 
south-south-west direction. Similar counts, giving approximately com¬ 
parable densities, were made at several points along the route given above 
between Coorow and Morawa on 18 August and Morawa and Pithara 
on 19 August; a few specimens were seen south of Pithara. The weather 
was windy and overcast along some of the route of the 19 August. 

V. kershawi was not seen in the Northam area on 20 August and 
only an occasional specimen seen from York to Williams on 21 and 22 
August. By 23 August, however, the species was common at Wellington 
Dam and southerly population movements were observed between there 
and Perth. 

These observations indicate that a moving population had reached 
just south of Coorow by 18 August and that 1 travelled through it until 
reaching the Pithara area south of which only a few specimens were 
encountered. The movement clearly continued until I re-entered it at 
Wellington Dam on 23 August, by which time V. kershawi had populated 
the whole coastal area by immigration. 

At a point 5 km north of Carnamah. where a large stand of mature, 
flowering Helichrysum occurred together with Capeweed (Arctotheca cal¬ 
endula) some specimens of V. kershawi were seen to be flitting around 
the plants whilst others w'ere flying straight through the area in typical 
migratory flight largely ignoring the flowers and not settling on the 
larval food plants. 

Also, a distinct maturity gradient was observed in the host plants, 
those in the Carnamah area being mature and in flower whereas those 


16 


in the Collie-Williams area were much younger. It seems likely that 
southerly invasion is timed to coincide with the state of growth of host 
plants. 

Western Australia is clearly an area in which detailed studies on 
the movements of V. kershawi could be made; this note is published with 
the hope that further observations will be made and recorded on migra¬ 
tion of this and other species in the State, for which very few insect 
migration records have been published. 

REFERENCES 

Smithers, C. N. 1969. A note on migration of Vanessa kershawi (McCoy) 
(Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in Australia, 1963-1968. Aust. Zool., 15 
(2): 188-194. 

Smithers, C. N. and Peters, J. V. 1966. A migration of Vanessa kershawi 
(McCoy) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in Australia. J. Ent. Soc. Qd., 
5: 67-69. 


/ 



MECOPTERA AS VECTORS—A NEW RECORD 
By G. J. KEIGHERY, University of W.A., Nedlands 

The Order Mccoptera, in Australia, consists of some twenty species 
distributed in eight genera (Bornemissza, 1966, and Riek, 1954). In the 
adult stage they are slender, slow flying predators of soft bodied insects, 
e.g. bees, flies (Bornemissza, f966). The largest and most widespread 
genus is Harpobittacus (fig. 1). 

A note of blossom visitation 
by Harpobittacus australis was 
found in Riek (1970). He states 
that adults of this species obtain 
prey and nectar from flowers of a 
Leptospermum sp. at their emerg¬ 
ence sites in Eastern Australia. He 
indicates that later in the season 
more species may be visited, but 
no details are given. From per¬ 
sonal observations in Western Aus¬ 
tralia the author doubts that Har¬ 
pobittacus would be likely pollina¬ 
tors of Leptospermum; bees, 
wasps and flies are the major 
visitors. 

No other records of blossom 
visitation could be obtained from 
the scattered Australian (e.g. Ham¬ 
ilton, 1919) or overseas literature 
(Faegri and Van der Pijl, 1971; 

Knuth, 1909 and Percival, 1965) 
on pollination. However, two other records were found in unpublished 
data. Symmington (1963) noted that Harpobittacus similis visits Calectasia 
cyanea R.Br. (Xanthorrhoeaceae). However, the author would consider 
that these visits are to obtain prey, since larval instars of a lygacid bug 
were also feund in these flowers, and An way (1969) noted that C. cyanea 
is autogamous, pollination occurring in the bud stage. Kenncally (1970) 
has observed Harpobittacus sp. visiting flowers of Diplopeltis huegelii Endl. 
(Sapindaccae). These were noted to be obtaining nectar from male flowers. 

The author has noted adults of //. similis actively foraging in the 
floral heads of Podolepis lesson'd (Cass.) Benth. (Astcraceac) at Regans 
Ford and Jurien Bay. Also adults of this species have been observed 
systematically visiting the floral heads of Erynqiu/n pinnatiiidum Bunge 
(Apiaceae) at Cockleshell Gully (N. of Jurien Bay) and Yanchep. This is 
shown in fig. 2, a drawing from a kodachrome. 


Fig 


-Adult of Harpobittacus 
similis. 


17 



All the animals observed had a dusting of pollen over their heads 
and proboscises. No insects were found in the flowers, although many 
species visit these flowers. Nectar was, however, freely available and 
contact with the stigma was noted in both cases. 

These, therefore, would appear to be the first records of members 
of this order as vectors. Since they are present in vast numbers during 
spring many small herbs and annuals in flower during this period may 
utilize these insects as vectors. Especially members of the families Apiaceae 
and Asteraceae (Composites) which are known to be promiscuously pol¬ 
linated, e.g. Heywood (1971). More studies are needed to assess the 
importance of this genus to our native flora. 



Fig. 2. — Adult H. similis foraging in floral head of Eryngium pinnatifidum. 


REFERENCES 

Anway, J. C. 1969. The evolution of Calectasia cyanea R.Br. (Xanthorr- 
hoeaccae) in terms of its present day variation and cytogenetics. A ust. 
J. Bot ., 17, 147-159. 

Bornemissza, G. F. 1966. Observations on the hunting and mating behav¬ 
iour of two species of Scorpion Flies (Bittacidae: Mecoptera). A ust. 
J. ZooL 14, 371-382. 

Facgri, K. and L. Van dcr Fiji. 1971. Principles of pollination ecology. 
Pergamon Press, Oxford. 

Hamilton, A. G. 1919. Pollination of Australian plants. A ust. Nat.. 4, 75-86. 

Heywood, V. H. (ed.) 1971. The biology and chemistry of the Umbellif- 
erae. Supplement 1. Bot. J. Linn. Soc. Loud., Vol. 64. 

Kenneally, K. F. 1970. Diplopeltis huegelii Endl. var. huegelii. Unpub. 
biological flora. Botany Department, Univ. of Western Australia. 


18 







Knuth, P. 1906. Handbook of flower pollination. Transl. J. Ainsworth 
Davis. Clarendon Press, Oxford. 

Percival, M. S. 1965. Floral biology. Pergamon Press, London. 

Riek, E. F. 1954. The Australian Mecoptera or Scorpion Flies. Aust. J. 
Zool. , 2, 296-307. 

Riek, E. F. 1970. Mecoptera. In The Insects of Australia , ed. 1. M. Mac¬ 
kerras. Melbourne University Press. Pp. 636-646. 

Symmington, B. 1963. Calectasia cyanea R.Br. Unpub. biological flora. 
Botany Department, Univ. of Western Australia. 


REPORT ON A VISIT TO DIRK HARTOG ISLAND, AUGUST- 
SEPTEMBER 1973, WITH SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE 
FAUNA AND FLORA 

By B. A. and A. G. WELLS, Scarborough 
INTRODUCTION 

Our visit to Dirk Hartog Island arose from a growing interest in the 
photography of the various Australian wren species. Since there had been 
little, if any, close up photography of the Pied Wren (Malurus leucopterus) 
which occurs only on Dirk Hartog and Barrow Islands, we chose this 
species as our special target for 1973. 

WORKING AREA 

It was initially decided to camp, and work, in the Quoin Bluff South 
area, thus gaining some benefit from observations made by R.A.O.U. 
members during their visit to Pcron Peninsula in August-Scptember 1972. 
(N.B. a closely similarly-named feature. Quoin Bluff North, is situated on 
Dorre Island, to N.E. of Dirk Hartog Island). 

We were therefore fortunate in being able to establish our base at 
the Herald Bay Outcamp, situated midway between the Station home¬ 
stead to the south and Sandy Point to the north, a total distance of about 35 
kilometres, with Quoin Bluff as its focal point. The greater portion of 
our time was devoted to this area on the east coast, which includes mainly 
sandy country, with dense thickets of low scrub dominated by Acacia, 
Diplolaena and spinifex. In the vicinity of the Ten Mile Well, the vegeta¬ 
tion is more open on flat ground. On the land rising to Quoin Bluff, ground 
cover consists almost entirely of dense low heath of Thryptomene with 
some Plectrachne (one of the species of spinifex common at Dirk Hartog 
Island). 

F. Lawson Whitlock apparently searched this same general area on 
foot in 1920. When referring to the Australian Bustard, he wrote “. . . I 
seldom walked from my camp to the homestead (10 miles!) without 
seeing a young male bird . . We felt that today’s observer in this kind 
of terrain, could well be handicapped by the four-wheel-drive vehicle, 
which may explain perhaps, to some extent, the non-appearance or non- 
observance in 1973, of some species so well described by this ornithologist 
over 50 years previously. 

FLORA 

Wildflowers appeared to be plentiful after a better than average 
winter rainfall. The following species were in flower and were photo¬ 
graphed: 

Abutilon oxycarpttm F. Much. 

Brachycome latisquamca F. Muell. 

Brachycome iberifolia Bcnth. 

Calythrix strigosa A. Cunn. 

Diplolaena grandiflora Dcsf. 

Ercmophila glabra (R.Br.) Ostf. 

Halgania littoralis Gardn. 

Jasminum calcar earn F. Muell. 


19 


Pileanthus limacis Labill. 

Pittocnnrum nhillvraenides DC. 

Pityrodia atriplicina (F. Muell) F. Muell. ex Benth. 

Thryptomene baeckaecea F. Muell. 

Westringia rigida R.Br. 

MAMMALS 

No feral cats were encountered although on one occasion fresh paw 
marks were found on recent tyre tracks some 14 kilometres from the 
homestead. No wild goats were seen, either during a day visit to the 
West Coast Mill where they were said to occur, or during a 2-day visit 
to Crm^ In^rrintion. No marsupials were observed; some limestone caves 
on the east coast were searched for skeletal remains—without success. 

Trapping, with small “Elliot” folding live traps, was carried out on 
behalf of the Fauna Research Branch of the Fisheries and Fauna Depart¬ 
ment, in six localities in the main w'orking area—360 trap-nights yielded 
two speciments of the Sandy Island Mouse (Pseudomys hermannsburgensis)> 

REPTILES 

The following reptiles were collected: 

Heteronota bynoei (Bynoe’s Gecko). 

Diplodactylus spinigerus (Soft-spined Gecko). 

Lerista praepedita (a burrow'ing skink). 

Demansia psammphis reticulata (Coppertail). 

Vermicella bertholdi littoralis (Bandy Bandy). 

(Specimens registered W.A. Museum R44234-239). 

There were also seen: 

Pseudechis australis (Mulga Snake). 

Nephrurus laevis occidentalis (Knobtailed Gecko). 

Amphibolurus reticulatus (Netted Dragon). 

BIRDS 

Continuing unsettled weather with light rains extending even into the 
first week of September, and the early onset of the well known seasonal 
winds of Shark Bay (“southerly busters”) considerably inhibited our pros¬ 
pects of photographing the wren species, even with specialised stalking 
equipment. Persistent winds confined these small birds to the undergrowth, 
and no evidence of nesting was observed until almost the last week of 
our stay. 

It was significant that on one of the few warm windless days (Sep¬ 
tember 5) B. A. W. found several nests of the Pied Wren and also parties 
of Emu Wrens with newly fledged young. This was due to her methodical 
searching of the sloping ground behind Quoin Bluff where she had estab¬ 
lished definite territories of at least four pairs. On the next day, when 
the winds returned, it became necessary to create “natural” windbreaks 
in order to obtain reasonable conditions for close-up photography of these 
two species. 

In the following notes, all sightings were made and confirmed by 
both of us—unless otherwise stated. Several species of sea birds and 
waders were not identified. 

Wedge-tailed Shearwater. —On the return journey to the mainland (15 
September) in rough sea about 8 kilometres from Dirk Hartog Island, we 
ran close to a flock of about 100 birds—some resting on the water and 
others flying often very close to the waves. They were all of entirely dark 
coloration. 

Pelican. —Frequently in groups of up to 15 on various sandy strips 
exposed by the tide. 

Pied Cormorant. —Actively nesting in the large colony at Quoin Bluff 
containing an estimated 3.000 plus birds. A “raft” of some hundreds was 
seen on one occasion about 1 kilometre from the colony. 

Reef Heron. —One or two birds often seen near each rocky point or 
reef. All were in the grey phase. 

Wedge-tailed Eagle. —One bird seemed to inhabit the area of Ten Mile 


20 


Well. According to local information, numbers of these birds have been 
found after drowning in open tanks at various well sites. The lessee is 
concerned with this problem and is taking action to protect the species. 

Australian Little Eagle.—Apparently not previously recorded on Dirk 
Hartog Island. We saw one bird, at a distance of 50 metres, standing on 
its prey (a skink) below the cliffs at Cape Inscription on September 3. Its 
size, coloration, feathered tarsi, and characteristic profile, left no doubt 
as to its identity. 

White-breasted Sea-Eagle.—The old nest under the cliff at Quoin Bluff, 
contained two well advanced chicks on August 14. One appeared to be 
suffering irritation at the vent—it was found next day riddled with brown 
maggots similar to those infesting dead carrion brought to the nest. On 
one occasion, a live Pied Cormorant juvenile was seen carried to the nest 
from the colony below and fed to the juvenile. Pieces of fresh green foliage 
were also brought to the nest and changed daily. Predation on waders on 
the beach, south of the bluff was observed. One parent disappeared about 
the end of August. Some days later a recently drowned Sea-Eagle was 
extracted by station.staff from an open tank at Ten Mile Well. Sea-Eagles 
appeared to be also inhabiting most of the main headlands on the east 
coast. On August 14, six birds were seen on the wing together high over 
Quoin Bluff. 

Osprey. —Frequenting most rocky headlands—sometimes in spectacular 
aerial combat with Sea-Eagles. Old but active nests with eggs were found 
at four points including one just below the historic posts of Cape In¬ 
scription. An old nest on a low “grape” bush on the beach south of Quoin 
Bluff was occupied at times by two birds simultaneously, but no eggs were 
laid during the five weeks of our observation. At other times one bird 
was always close by—seemingly protecting its claim to this nest. 

Nankeen Kestrel. —Apparently common throughout the island. Nesting 
in cliffs on the coast, and in old Little Crows' nests inland. On August 19 a 
Little Crow’s nest in the Garden windmill contained 5 Kestrel eggs. On 
30 August these had been replaced by one egg of a Little Crow. Another 
Little Crow’s nest in the small mangrove at the neck of Tetradon Loop 
contained 5 well advanced Kestrel chicks on September 13. 

Australian Bustard. —A party of 5 birds was often seen in our main 
area. A Bustard with one juvenile about one month old appeared on the 
track to the West Coast Mill on August 25. According to local information 
the bird is common on the island. 

Pied Oystercatclier and Black Oystcrcatcher. —Both species frequently 
seen, either in mixed groups or singly. A nest of a Pied Oystcrcatcher con¬ 
tained 2 eggs on 15 August, and was vacated by September 2; 2 fledglings 
were on Sandy Point on 13 September. No nests of the Black Oystcrcatcher 
were found. 

Banded Plover. —Inhabiting the open flat areas. One pair with three 
juveniles at the Ten Mile Well. 

Red-capped Dotterel. —Several pairs feeding on edge of tidal salt pan 
south of Cape Inscription on 4 September. 

Australian Dotterel. —One bird with two juveniles seen south of Quoin 
Bluff on 9 September. 

Grey Plover. —Various sightings on beaches near Quoin Bluff. A flock 
was seen on the homestead beach on 14 September. 

Turnstone. —Flock of eight on beach south of Quoin Bluff on 17 
August. 

Eastern Curlew.—Single birds seen on several occasions wading in 
shallows at low tide south of Quoin Bluff. A group of seven seen on 30 
August. 

Common Sandpiper. —One bird on beach 2 kilometres south of Quoin 
Bluff on 13 September. 

Bar-tailed Godwit.—Flock of up to 10 birds at various times north 
and south of Quoin Bluff, A flock of 40 birds appeared at Tetradon Loop 
on 30 August. 


21 


White-headed Stilt.—Two adults with three immatures on water-covered 
saline flat close to beach north of Sandy Point on 4 September. 

Southern Stone Curlew.—Frequently heard calling at night from the 
dense scrubland behind Herald Bay. A. G. W. flushed one bird during the 
day on 29 August. 

Pacific Gull.—Occasional pairs sighted. One pair was seen with an 
immature bird, on the wing, over Quoin Bluff on 23 August. 

Silver Gull.—Nesting in several places but more numerous at Quoin 
Bluff in association with the Pied Cormorant colony, where juveniles were 
seen at various stages. Predation on the Pied Cormorant nests was observed. 

Caspian Tern and Crested Tern.—Both seen occasionally in small num¬ 
bers. A large flock of about 200 of these two species was resting north of 
Sandy Point on 2 September. We did not see any nesting. 

Common Bronzewing.—Two flushed by B. A. W. from acacia scrub 
at Herald Bay. 

Domestic Pigeon.—One bird appeared daily on the main track near 
Ten Mile Well. It disappeared after a few weeks and was later recovered 
by station staff from a nearby well where it had recently drowned. It was 
noted there was water available in adjacent sheep troughs. The bird bore 
a leg band ND/PC 72 1039. This was later identified by the Southern 
Suburbs Pigeon Racing Club as belonging to one of a number of birds 
released on 4 August 1973 at Carnarvon in a normal Club race to Perth. 
It had been recorded that strong easterly winds caused a number of the 
birds to be lost or delayed. 

Welcome Swallow.—Common. One pair nesting under our roof in the 
outcamp. 

Australian Pipit.—Common. Nesting throughout August. 

Pied Wren.—Fairly common over the whole area. No difficulty was 
experienced in “calling up” females, but males invariably fled with low 
flights of increasing distance, assisted by the persistent wind. The spectacu¬ 
lar male thus had no difficulty in keeping out of camera range, and many 
hours were lost in unsuccessful pursuit. Whereas Whitlock found the Varie¬ 
gated Wren to be extremely shy and not so abundant as the Pied Wren, 
our experience differed. 

Nesting at Quoin Bluff appeared to have taken place several weeks 
later than that in the northern part of the island where Pied Wrens inhabit 
the dense low Melaleuca heath. According to local information the winter 
rainfall was much heavier in the north. Nests found by B. A. W. in Quoin 
Bluff area were not more than half a metre from the ground, two in 
Thrypiomene and one in saltbush, the latter being fairly easily seen. 

Variegated Wren.—Common in our area and appearing to be more 
abundant than the Pied Wren. Fledglings were seen early in September. 
One nest with juveniles was found deep in a dense spreading Acacia —an¬ 
other was situated in a small open saltbush. We frequently noted females 
of this species attempted to draw us away from the nesting area by simu¬ 
lated “feeding chick” noises. This was not observed with other species of 
wrens. 

Southern Emu-Wren.—Parties were seen on several occasions in low 
Thryptomene heath on Quoin Bluff, where Plectrachne also occurs. On 27 
August at Herald Bay one pair was flushed from a dense Acacia-Diplolaena - 
Triodiu thicket. Their behaviour (“rodent run” and broken wing displays) 
indicated nesting but a careful search failed to find the nest or fledglings. 
Fledglings were seen during the second week in September in Quoin 
Bluff area. On 14 August at Quoin Bluff, A. G. W. saw a male Emu-Wren 
with a clearly defined rufous crown. It differed markedly in this respect 
from other male Emu-Wrens of the same locality. 

Spotted Scrub-Wren.—Common. 

Western Grass-Wren.—We were not successful in making a positive 
identification. 

Field Wren.—Seen at various times in vicinity of Quoin Bluff. One bird 
appeared to be nesting (carrying food) on 9 September. 

Red-capped Robin.—On 3 September B. A. W. saw a male Red-capped 


22 


Robin on a ridge in the Cape Inscription reserve, where the tallest vegeta¬ 
tion was an Acacia species. 

Crested Bellbird.—Frequently heard calling from various points in the 
dense scrubland. We were not successful in our search for the bird. 

Western Silvcreye.—Common in the Acacia scrubland. 

Singing Honeyeater.—Perhaps the most common bird seen. 

Zebra Finch.—Seen in two localities. One pair was apparently nesting 
in the lower part of an old Little Crow’s nest in a mangrove tree at Tctra- 
don Loop. Another pair was seen near a mustering paddock in the Sandy 
Point area. 

Black-faced Wood-Swallow.—Parties of these birds were at various 
places. 

Grey Butcher-bird.—Nearly all pairs were nesting. They were not 
aggressive like the birds in the Perth suburbs. 

Little Crow.—Common. Nesting during August-Scptember usually in 
the tallest trees and on windmills. One nest was built and occupied on the 
daylight sensor which activates the Cape Inscription lighthouse. At South 
Passage Mill 4 eggs were in a nest built in a clump of spinifex at the base 
of a windmill. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

We were most appreciative of the advice given by Dr. D. L. Serventy 
—copies of valuable ornithological papers in his possession were of great 
material help to our project. 

The Trustees of the National Photographic Index of Australian Birds, 
Australian Museum, Sydney, gave assistance under the Bank of New South 
Wales Grants Scheme. 

Sea and land transport, with accommodation on the island, were kindly 
provided by Sir Thomas Wardle, lessee of Dirk Hartog Island. Sir Thomas’s 
personal interest made our expedition far more comfortable and flexible 
than our own plan would have allowed. 

Notes on the R.A.O.U. observations in 1972 were supplied by Mr. G. 

C. Chapman, of Glen Forrest. 

We were also equipped with a most useful summary of observations 
made by various ornithologists during the years 1917-1972, and compiled 
by Dr. S. J. J. F. Davies, C.S.I.R.O., Division of Wildflife Research. 

A copy of F. Lawson Whitlock's “Notes on Dirk Hartog Island and 
Peron Peninsula, Shark Bay, Western Australia”, The Emu, vol. XX, 1921, 
was kindly supplied by Dr. Serventy. This was fortuitous, since our base 
was only 3 kilometres from the Ten Mile Well, where Whitlock was en¬ 
camped during the period June-September 1920. We were thus able to more 
appreciate his comments when working in the exact localities about which 
he wrote. 

We were also able to refer to personal notes loaned by Dr. A. A. 
Burbidge, Fauna Research Branch, Department of Fisheries and Fauna, 
relating to his visit (with A. S. George and T. Evans) during September 
1972. 

Mr. George identified the flora mentioned in our report. 

PERSONAL COMMENT 

We were most favourably impressed with the intention, expressed by 
Sir Thomas Wardle, to maintain the essential nature of Dirk Hartog Island, 
and to avoid this being endangered by unrestricted tourism and by other 
pressures. 

As non-professional naturalists, we saw and appreciated much on the 
island of great interest, in the few sections of natural history with which 
we are familiar. 

OTHER REFERENCES 

D. L. SERVENTY and H. M. WH1TTELL, Birds of Western Australia, 

4th edn., 1967. 

D. L. SERVENTY, V. SERVENTY and J. WARHAM, The Handbook 

of Australian Sea-birds, 1971. 

P. SLATER, A Field Guide to Australian Birds, 1970. 

D. L. SERVENTY, “Peron Peninsula” (ms.). 


23 


FROM FIELD AND STUDY 


Absence of the Pallid Cuckoo at Merredin, 1973.—For the first time, 
over a period of observing them for 24 years. Pallid Cuckoos (Cuculits 
pallidas) failed to visit the district in the spring of 1973. None were seen 
by me or by other people who are familiar with this bird. 

I kept a close watch each week in their usual haunts and also visited 
Nungarin and Southern Cross, but no birds were seen or heard calling. 

During the previous spring, in 1972, there was an increase in the 
numbers of Pallid Cuckoos; they usually first appear just before mid-July- 
There were a small number of cuckoo chicks about my yard, apparently 
being cared for by Willy Wagtails. 

I wonder how general was this absence of Pallid Cuckoos in the 
south of the State during 1973? May they have found more attractive 
feeding areas in the north because of the bountiful rains there? 

—(Mrs.) M. B. MILLS, Merredin. 


Avian-Derived Phosphate from Inland Western Australia.—Several 
recent collections of minerals from the Gascoyne and Murchison regions 
have yielded the aluminium phosphate variscite derived from biogenic 
phosphatisation. The specimens came from the tops of prominent hills 
at Pyramid Hill (20°42’S, U5°51’E), Yinnietharra Station, and the hematite 
outcrop at Wilgie Mia (26°56’S, 117°4TE), Weld Range and are considered 
to be of sub-recent to recent origin. 

Both occurrences are of a buff to white, vughy, crystalline to compact 
variscite encrusting the base rock in layers up to three inches thick and 
filling crevices for some feet. Simpson (1932) described a much larger 
deposit at Ninghanboun Hills (29°12’S, 11627’E) where a serpentinite 
was altered to phosphate of iron and aluminium. Similar occurrences have 
been recorded from near Mt. Magnet and Belele Station. Mawson and 
Cooke (1907) reported several occurrences in South Australia and describ¬ 
ed the material as ‘paratocite’, which may be a mixture or a previously 
described mineral. 

Maritime guano deposits are usually derived from the excreta of large 
flocks of birds but the inland occurrences described here probably indicate 
the hunting roosts of much smaller populations. The larger deposits des¬ 
cribed by Simpson and Mawson et ai, are not compatible with the present 
day smaller bird populations. 

In the past, the salt lakes and filled swamps near these deposits 
probably contained plentiful aquatic life and supported considerably larger 
bird colonies. Similar conclusions have been drawn from the fossil bird 
discoveries of J. W. Gregory. R. H. Tedford, A. H. Miller and others in 
Central Australia. 

These phosphate deposits may be of some minor significance where 
they are associated with iron ore deposits. The maximum phosphorus level 
allowed for iron ore exported to Japan is 0.07%. However, the amount of 
variscite necessary to affect the large tonnages mined is unlikely to exist 
in most Western Australian iron ore districts. 

REFERENCES 

MAWSON. D. and COOKE, W. T., 1907. The Phosphate Minerals from 

Elder Rock. Trans. Roy. Soc. South Australia, 31:65-70. 

SIMPSON, E. S., 1932. Contributions to the Mineralogy of Western 

Australia. Series VII, Variscite (Redondite) and Leucophosphite (Sp. 

nov.), Ninghanboun Hills, S.W. Jour. Roy. Soc. Western Australia . 

18:61-74. 

<—P. J. BRIDGE, Government Chemical Laboratories, Perth. 


24 


NATURAL 



Vol. 13 


March 31, 1975 


Nos. 2/3 


ZONAL FEEDING IN THE BIRDS OF CULEENUP ISLAND, 

YUNDURUP 

By ALLEN KEAST, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario 


Zonal feeding in birds is determined by dividing the trees, shrubs, and 
ground, into a series of vertical levels and recording the relative amounts 
of feeding in each. Two alternative but comparable methods are used for 
the latter, assessing the amounts of time spent feeding in each zone by 
means of a watch, or counting the number of feeding actions (pecks) in 
each over a measured time interval. Balance is achieved by restricting the 
observations of any individual bird (I use half a minute) and flock (up to 
4 minutes) spreading the observations over different hours of the day, 
observing a range of individuals, and carrying out the observations in a 
range of localities (Keast, 1968). 

Because most observers are limited in the amount of time they can 
spend on a project the work is usually concentrated in the breeding season, 
it being argued that this is the time when there is likely to be the greatest 
competition for resources and when species feeding differences and 
separations are hence likely to be most clear cut. There is, of course, no 
doubt that studies of zonal feeding should be carried out through-out the 
year or, rather, during the four major seasons. It may change as the 
spatial distribution of dominant food resources change or when, due to 
nomadism or migration, the associated combination of species sharing the 
particular habitat changes. There have, however, been virtually no com¬ 
parative studies made on a seasonal basis. 

That closely related bird species may feed at different “levels”, and 
that this is one of the devices whereby inter-specific competition is re¬ 
duced has been recognised for some time. The first quantitative study, 
however, was that of Colquohoun and Morley (1943) on British tits 
(Paridae). These observers also noted that different species showed some 
preferences for different kinds of trees, i.e. conifers relative to deciduous. 
MacArthur (1958), and others, have noted that tree crown feeders may, 
alternatively, feed tangentially (i.e. working around the outside of the 
foliage), or radially (i.e. they enter the foliage by way of the branches). 
My observations indicate that this division is rarely absolute. In South- 
Western Australia, however, Weebills commonly obtain their insects from 
the foliage by fluttering around, and clinging to, the outer leaves whereas 
Broad-tailed Thornhills rarely do this, preferring either to approach the 
terminal leaves by way of the outer branches and twigs, or alighting 
amongst the twigs. Generally speaking large birds are radial feeders, their 
weight necessitating that they work out along the branch and reach into 
the foliage. Rufous and Golden Whistlers and, of course. Western Shrike- 
Thrushes, all being to a considerable degree branch feeders, also do this. 
Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrikes and Grey Fantails. by contrast, do some flut¬ 
tering at the foliage. 


25 





In Table 1 are summarised the results I obtained over a couple of days 
field observing on Culeenup Island (September 14-15, 1974) in the mixed 
woodland there. The area is dominated by Eucalyptus rudis but there is a 
rich development of tall saplings and shrubs of all sizes. Casuarina, Mela¬ 
leuca and Kunzea also provided tree-type feeding opportunities. Eleven 
categories of feeding level were allowed. Observations were made on the 


TABLE 1. ZONAL FEEDING AT CULEENUP ISLAND 


Percentage in each Feeding Zone 


Broad-tailed 

Thornbill 

Yellow-tailed 

Thornbill 

Western 

Warbler 

Silvereye 

Rufous 

Whistler 

Golden 

Whistler 

Red-tipped 

Pardalote 

Splendid 

Wren 

Scarlet 

Robin 

Western 

Shrike-thrush 

Grey 

Fantail 

Willie 

Wagtail 

Golden Bronze 
Cuckoo 

Pallid 

Cuckoo 

Brown 

Honeyeater 

New Holland 
Honeyeater* 

Welcome 

Swallow 


No. of 

observations 

< 

Foliage 

Twigs 

Branches 

Outer 

Branches 

Inner 

Trunk Upper 

Trunk Lower 

Sapl. Foliage 

Sapl. Trunk & 

Branches 

Low Shrub 

Ground 

229 

2 

25 

10 

5 

2 


5 

23 

10 

18 


185 


5 






40 

15 


40 

70 


56 

27 

12 






5 


440 


15 

3 

6 

18 

21 

13 

13 


11 






3% of fee 

ding 

time c 

>n ne< 

;tar 



72 

2 

26 

16 

26 

6 



16 

8 



35 


10 

30 

30 




30 




135 


85 

10 

5 








45 




10 




45 

10 

35 


30 









20 


80 

110 


15 


60 

15 




10 



72 

60 

20 

5 

5 




5 

5 



26 

55 








10 


35 

20 


80 

20 









25 





10 


10 




80 

85 

5 

25 

20 

10 




40 








20% of feeding time on necta 

r 


15 

35 

65 


90% 

of fe 

edinc 

time 

on ne 

jctar 



35 

100 












* Refers to insect-taking activity only. At virtually any time the relatively 
few birds present could be seen flower-probing. 


26 






























basis of numbers of feeding actions (pecks), expressed as a percentage. 1 
prefer such a counting method rather than recording time spent feeding in 
each area, both because it is more precise and because it is faster, on oc¬ 
casions permitting observations to be made simultaneously on members 
of two species. 

A range of clear-cut results emerge from the Table. Apart from 
obvious knowledge that the Welcome Swallow is exclusively an aerial 
feeder (above treetop height or over fields and open water), the Red- 
tipped Pardalote emerges as virtually exclusively an outer foliage feeder 
(much of its time was spent in the tops of the loftiest trees), the Splendid 
Wren as a dense thicket and lower sapling feeder (on one occasion a male 
temporarily fed in branches at 30ft.) The Grey Fantail is an aerial insect 
feeder (60% of total feeding actions), with half the catches being made 
on sorties between trees (at or below canopy height), a third on short 
dashes within the branches or about the twigs, and the remainder within 
and about saplings. In addition insects were obtained from the foliage by 
fluttering around, or clinging to, the outer leaves. The two whistlers fed 
mostly at the middle regions or terminations of the branches, taking up 
vantage points and from there scrutinising the foliage, branches, and 
twigs above, below, and on either side. When a suitable prey item 
was spotted the bird hopped or quickly fluttered to it. On occasions, how¬ 
ever, they hopped methodically through the dense outer foliage of trees 
or worked through the heavy foliage of saplings. They did not feed at 
heights of less than 6-8 ft. (in places, of course, the Golden Whistler docs 
much feeding at heights of 4-8 ft.). The Western Shrike-Thrush differed 
from its smaller relatives in the greater amount of branch feeding. Obser¬ 
vations on the Scarlet Robin and Pallid Cuckoo were too few to be quan¬ 
titative. A fair degree of ground-feeding was indicated, however. 

The writer was most interested in three species, the two thornbills and 
the silvcrcyc. In the east, where the arboreal feeding Striated Thornhill 
and Little Thornhill are present, the Brown Thornbilf is a low shrub and 
sapling feeder; the Yellow-tailed Thornhill largely a ground feeder. It very 
soon became apparent that here, as elsewhere in the South-West, the Broad- 
tailed Thornhill, the counterpart of and close relative of the Brown, feeds 
at all levels and has a marked foliage-gleaning component to the feeding. 
The Yellow'-tailed Thornhill, likewise, has changed feeding habits, over 
half the feeding being carried out in the branches and foliage of saplings. 
The Western Silvereye proved to be extremely versatile. It fed virtually 
everywhere but in the air. There was a marked amount of trunk and branch 
feeding, with the birds working their way around these, or fluttering and 
clinging at all angles. Other feeding parties (or the same individuals later) 
assiduously worked the foliage of 60-80 ft. eucalypts, and saplings. Then 
a group would drop out of the trees to work over and through small 2-3 ft. 
high shrubs. From time to time individuals even probed the flowers of 
Eucalyptus rudis alongside the New Holland and Brown Honeyeaters, 
or, rarely, those of Hardenbergia comptoniana, the ground-clinging yellow- 
flowering Conostylis aculeatus, or the blossoms of the wattle. Acacia cyano- 
phylla. One could not help speculating that there must have been a corre¬ 
lation between the trunk feeding of silvercycs and the local absence of the 
trunk-feeding sittellas and treecreepers. Silvcreyes are. of course, both 
insect and berry feeders and, as such, are obviously amongst the most 
generalised feeders in the bush. I have never before this, however, seen 
them taking insects from such a wide range of vertical levels. The great 
versatility displayed in its feeding by this species in part must explain 
its success and abundance over wide areas. 

Nectar feeding is very hard to measure by the methods used here. 
Even if one were to use the stop-watch method and come up with com¬ 
parative figures for the amount of time spent nectar relative to insect 
feeding it would not help give a comparative picture of the actual weights 
of the two foods being consumed, or of the calorific or energetic value 
being obtained frpm each. Rccher and Abbott (1970), for example, in 
stressing the relatively low nutritional value of nectar suggest that the 


27 


frequency with which meliphagids are observed aerial feeding sterns froni 
the need to supplement the diet with animal protein. All meliphagids are. 
of course, partly nectar-feeding, the amount varying with the species (s£e 
Keast and Condon, 1968). The New Holland Honeycatcr would seem to De 
one of the least insectivorous species and, in fact except foi once or twice, 
every time the 3 or 4 individuals on Culeenup Island were seen feeding H 
was at the flowers of Eucalyptus ritdis. The much more abundant Brov n 
Honcyeaters, however, only occasionally visited the flowers (which proved 
to be almost lacking in nectar). Instead these birds spent nearly all their 
feeding time taking insects from the branches and leaves of the riverside 
trees and saplings. They mostly worked their way into the leaves along 
the outer branches but, on a few occasions, fluttered at the outer foliage. 

The above brief observations indicate that this method of quantifica¬ 
tion can be very rewarding for defining the ecological roles of series oi 
cohabiting bird species and giving insight into mechanisms operating to 
minimise interspecific competition. They can be elaborated by making 
counts of the relative abundances of the different species (thereby coming 
up with a measure of the actual “pressure” being exerted by each species 
on its specific range of food resources). Insectivorous species also differ, 
of course, in the sizes of prey items taken. Overseas work brings out that 
there is a broad correlation between prey size and bill size, in birds. A 
superficial survey of the Australian literature on stomach analyses indi¬ 
cates that this is also true here. It can be inferred, hence, that the differ¬ 
ent bill sizes of a thornbill, a whistler, and a shrike-thrush “channel 
them towards insects of different sizes and that these three are never in 
competition. 

Studies such as the above should bo carried out at a range of locali¬ 
ties in South-Western Australia, and elsewhere. Culeenup Island, in itself, 
merits analysis at the height of the breeding season, and at all other times 
of the year. 

APPENDIX—SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF BIRDS DISCUSSED 


Pallid Cuckoo— 

Cue ulus pallidus 
Golden Bronze-Cuckoo— 
Chrysococcyx plagosus 
Welcome Swallow— 

Hirundo neoxena 
Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike— 
Coracina novaehollandiae 
Splendid Blue Wren — 

Mai urns sp leadens 
Western Warbler— 

Gerygone fit sc a 
Weebill— 

Smicrornis brevirostris 
Striated Thornbill— 
Acanthiza lineata 
Little Thornbill— 

A. nana 

Brown Thornbill— 

A. pusilla 

Broad-tailed Thornbill— 

A. apicalis 

Yellow-rumped Thornbill— 
A. chrysorrhoa 


Scarlet Robin— 

Pet mica multicolor 
Grey Fantail— 

R hi pi d ura fuligi nosa 
Willie Wagtail— 

R. leucophrys 
Golden Whistler— 

Pachycephala pectoralis 
Rufous Whistler— 

P. rufiventris 
Western Shrike-Thrush— 
Colluricincla rufiventris 
Black-capped Sittella— 

Neosit ta pi l eat a 

Rufous Tree-creeper- 

Climacteris rufa 
Red-tipped Pardalote— 
Pardalotus substriatus 
Western Silvereye— 

Zosterops gouldi 
Brown Honcycater— 

Lichmera indlstincta 
New Holland Honcycater— 
PhyUdonyris no vaehollandiae 


REFERENCES 

COLQUOHOUN, M. K., and A. MORLEY. 1943. Vertical zonation in 
woodland bird communities. J. Anim. Ecol. , 12: 75-81 
KEAST, A. 1968. Competitive interactions and the evolution of ecological 
niches illustrated by the Australian honcycater genus Melithreptu j. 
Evolution , 22: 762-784. 


28 


KEAST, A. 1970. Adaptive evolution and shifts in niche occupation in 
island birds. Biotropica, 2: 61-75. 

KEAST, A m and H. T. CONDON. 1968. Honeyeaters relative to nectar 
feeding on Kangaroo Island. Rec. S. Australian Mas., 15: 699-703. 

MACARTHUR, R. H. 1958. Population ecology of some warblers of 
northeastern coniferous forests. Ecology, 39: 599-619. 

RECHER, H. Fm and I. J. ABBOTT. 1970. The possible significance of 
hawking by honeyeaters and its relation to nectar feeding. The Emu 
70: 90. 


“MISS NORTH’S TREE,” WARREN NATIONAL PARK 
By D. L. SERVENTY and G. G. SMITH, Nedlands 


In the article on “Historic Trees,” in the Australian Encyclopaedia, 
1958, vol. 9, p. 31, is listed “Miss North’s Tree,” a large karri in the 
Warren National Park, south-west of Pemberton. Mr. B. J. Beggs, Conser¬ 
vator of Forests, has supplied us with some data on the tree, which is 
situated on high ground on the edge (south side) of the Old Vasse Road 
which traverses the Warren National Park on the north side of the 
Warren River. It is slightly over 4 km west of the point where the Old 
Vasse Road leaves the Northcliffe Road near Warren House, the old 
Brockman homestead. Mr. Beggs adds that the tree “has a height of 55 
metres with a girth measurement of 5.6 metres. At a height of about 12 
metres a large burl or ‘niggerhead’ completely rings the bole. The tree is 
overmature with decadent crown and has many epicormic limbs for the 
full length of the bole. There is a weathered plaque at the base of the 
tree inscribed ‘Marianne North Tree’.” 

The tree is notable because it was painted by Miss Marianne North, 
the English botanical artist and traveller, when she stayed with her 
kinsman, Edward Reveley Brockman (1838-1902), at Warren House, near 
Pemberton, in December 1880 (Recollections of a Happy Life, 1892, vol. 
2, pp. 164-166). She does not actually mention this particular tree in the 
book, though she was vastly impressed with the large size of the trees 
in this magnificent forest, where, on one occasion, “I spent four delightful 
hours sketching or resting under these gigantic white pillars, which were 
far more imposing than the trees of Fernshaw” (the Mountain Ash in 
Victoria). 

Her painting of the tree hangs in the North Gallery at the Royal 
Botanic Gardens, Kew, a building she had erected at her own expense 
to house her considerable collection of botanical paintings. It was opened 
to the public in 1882. The Official Guide to the North Gallery, 6th cdn., 
1914, p. 121, no. 782. has the following description, by Miss North her¬ 
self: u Karri Gums, near the Warren River, West Australia. Casuarinas and 
Emus in the foreground. The Karri Gum trees (Eucalyptus diversicolor, 
F. Mucll.) are among the tallest trees in the world. Baron Mueller states 
that he has seen many of them that approached 400 feet in height*. 
One of those painted has a monstrous ring of warts around the trunk, 
reminding one of the columns of Milan Cathedral, the trunks being as 
white and polished as the pillars themselves.” 

The painting is about 12 x 18 in. In the foreground are casuarinas 
(which must be Casuarina decussata) and emus, on the track or a clear¬ 
ing. There are also bracken, zamia palms and Leucopogon verticillatus. 

-Actually neither the Karri nor the Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans) have been proved 
to reach this height;' the Karri approaches 300 feet, and the tallest known Mountain Ash 

was 375 feet. 


29 


See Fig. 1. Perhaps travelling Western Australians are more familiar with 
this painting than with the actual tree itself. We ourselves have not yet 
seen the tree but have viewed the painting on a number of occasions. 


Though knowledge of the tree is not widely disseminated among 
people in Western Australia descendants of E. R. Brockman arc familiar 
with it. Mrs. Julius Brockman, of Bussclton, who has ridden past the 
tree years ago when taking cattle to the coast, informs us that travellers 
would pass the tree on their way to or from the Vassc, and it would be 



30 








a point of conversation. Her own opinion is that it was a favourite 
landmark and picnic spot for the Brockman family of the Warren. Mr. 
Brockman says that there used to be a post and rail fence around the 
tree. This has now vanished. There exists another painting of this tree. 
It was painted for Edward and Capel Brockman by their brother-in-law, 
Henry C. Prinsep, and used to hang for years in the drawing room of 
“Beachgrove”, a Brockman home in Ford Road. Busselton, now the resi¬ 
dence of Mr. and Mrs. Julius Brockman. The painting, however, is now 
in the possession of a grand-daughter of the original E. R. Brockman. 

One member of the Western Australian Naturalists’ Club who has 
recently been to the tree is Mrs. Helen Wilson of Pingelly who took a 
photograph of it in November 1971 (Fig. 2). She had seen a reproduction 
of the painting at the Pemberton Tourist Bureau. There appears to be no 
substantial difference in the appearance of the tree since it was painted 
over 90 years ago. 

Marianne North (1830-1890) was one of those formidable upper 
middleclass Englishwomen (Daisy Bates was another) who, because of 
their social status and personality, successfully travelled alone through 
little-known parts of the world, often under incredibly primitive con¬ 
ditions, indulging their interests and hobbies. She was a member of a 
family prominent in English affairs in the 17th and 18th centuries, one 
member of which, Frederick, Lord North (second Earl of Guilford) was 
Prime Minister during the American War of Independence. Marianne 
was descended from Dudley, 4th Lord North, through his youngest 
son, Roger, the historian and Attorney-General under James 11. Her 
father, Frederick North, was M.P. for Hastings, and in his company 
she began that lengthy series of journeys, starting in 1865, to Syria and 
Egypt, and continued after his death to most parts of the world until 
1885, to Chile. “She scoured the globe for spectacular plants which she 
painstakingly recorded in oils in their natural surroundings” (Wilfrid 
Blunt, The Art of Botanical Illustration, 1950). 

At the suggestion of Charles Darwin she visited Australia and New 
Zealand, commencing her Australian tour at Thursday Island in July 
1880, and after travelling through Queensland, New South Wales, Vic¬ 
toria, Western Australia and Tasmania (by Cobb & Co. coach, horse 
drays, train and ship) she left for New Zealand in February 1881. A 
lively, and on the whole kindly, account of her Australian experiences 
is given in volume 2 of her autobiographical Recollections of a Happy 
Life, London, 1892, In the fashion of the age she wrote uninhibitedly, 
sometimes with embarrassing frankness, of her impressions of places, 
social customs and people—the latter being thinly disguised under their 
initials. In a second impression of the book some of the more outspoken 
passages are replaced by more innocuous matter. 

The following references to publications on Marianne North may 
be of interest: 

Wilfrid Blunt. The Art of Botanical Illustration. London, 1950: 237-238. 

F. N. Howes. “Marianne North—an Unusual Tree Lover of the Last 
Century.” Trees (quarterly journal of The Men of the Trees), 17 (2), 
1953: 77-79. 

M. Dickins. “Marianne North.” The Cornhill Magazine , No. 1031, Spring, 
1962: 319-329. 

D. Middleton. “Flowers in a Landscape.” Geographical Magazine , 35 (8), 
December 1962: 445-462. 

A. Lees-Milne. “Marianne North.” Journal of the Royal Horticultural 
Society, 89 (6), June 1964: 231-240. 

D. Middleton. Victorian Lady Travellers. London, 1965: 54-71. 


31 


THE BREEDING BURROW OF THE BANDED ANT-EATER OR 
NUMBAT (MYRMECOBIUS FASC/ATUS) 

By P. CHRISTENSEN, Forests Department, Manjimup 


Despite the Numbat’s recent elevation to fame as our States fauna 
emblem, little work has been done on this interesting marsupial and many 
aspects of its habits and life history remain relatively unknown. 

For example the question of whether or not Numbats dig burrows 
has not been definitely resolved. Troughton (1967) states, “It is not a 
burrower”, but Calaby (1960) says: “There is anecdotal evidence that the 
female digs a burrow during the breeding season . He goes on to ciU- 
John Gilbert’s notebook, published by Whittell (1954). Gilbert records 
that it breeds “in holes or short burrows”. Shortndge (1910) was told by 
Aborigines that during the breeding season the female makes “a rather 
shallow perpendicular hole in the ground . Mr. L. Glauert, former Directoi 
of the W.A. Museum, wrote in his copy of Wood Jones (1923) (novv 

in the Museum library) that a correspondent, Mr. E. C. Cecil Dival 

“surprised a Numbat which made for a hole in the ground. It was a burrow 
about three feet long at the end of which was a nest made of straw and 
bits of newspaper”. Glauert (1935) wrote that another correspondent, Miss 
E. Wills, found a litter in a burrow. Her dog began barking at a small 

hole which she dug out. After digging along for about three feet “the tun¬ 

nel suddenly widened from two inches into a large nesting place about 
nine inches in diameter, lined all around with fine dead silver grass’. In 
the nest were three young Numbats, and a further one of the same size 
was found in a nearby log. 

Ride (1970) sums up the situation in the following words: “There is 
good evidence that the female Numbat digs a burrow and on several 
occasions young have been found in nests at the end of these short breeding 
burrows”. 

However since no detailed description of a breeding-burrow seems to 
have been published the question remains to some extent unresolved. 

In view of this it seems appropriate to record in some detail a des¬ 
cription of what I am quite convinced was a Numbat’s breeding burrow. 

On 1st May, 1974 a female Numbat was brought to me by Rod Sim¬ 
mons, an officer of the Forests Department. He had obtained it from a 
forestry gang who had captured it whilst clearing a track off the Boyup/ 
Cranbrook road. The site is located approximately 8 miles south-east of 
Heartlea and within the Forests Department’s Perup River fauna priority 
area. 

The Numbat had been surprised by them in the morning and had 
darted into a burrow located close to the track and on the other side of 
a large jarrah log. They dug out the burrow and located the Numbat in 
a chamber at the end of a short tunnel. It was a female with four young 
(approximately 20 mm long) attached firmly to the teats. 

The area where the burrow was found is on a ridge. The forest type 
is predominantly jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) with scattered red gums or 
marri (E. calophylla). The canopy is between 50 to 70 ft. The area has 
been logged and a scattered understorey of 15 to 30 ft. jarrah and marri 
saplings are also present. Other understorey trees present in the area 
include bull banksia (Banksia gran cl is) and snotty gobble (Persounia longi - 
folia). The understorey scrub is relatively sparse giving approximately 30 
to 40 percent ground cover. The dominant species is Bossiaea ornata with 
other species such as Hakea lissocarpa, Leucopogon verticillatus and zamia 
palms also present. The area was last burnt four years ago. 

The soil in which the burrow was located is a very gravelly greyish 
yellow sand, containing lateritic pebbles varying in size from very small 
to over one inch in diameter. 

Part of the burrow had been dug out during the capture of the 


32 


Numbat, but the burrow entrance and part of the tunnel which passed 
under a log was still intact. From the appearance of the spoil at the 
entrance to the burrow it was judged to have been dug out no more than 
a week or two previously. 

It was possible to trace the outline of the remainder of the burrow 
and the nesting chamber and so to reconstruct their dimensions, direction 
and depth in considerable detail (see Figs. 1 and 2). 

£ia l. fcurroui as vjeu)eJi Irom a.ipo\/6. 



P,e j Z - qj vittogj cr« t& sect*. 



The floor of the nesting chamber was lined somewhat sparsely with 
dry jarrah and marri leaves, apparently obtained in the vicinity of the 
burrow. 

There seems no reason to doubt that this burrow was in fact dug 
by the Numbat herself. The fact that the dimensions seem to fit the 
Numbat’s size so perfectly, and it was obviously freshly dug, combined 


33 









with the fact that the Numbat took refuge in it when disturbed, seems to 
point to this. It may also be of interest to note that in the short time 
whilst she remained captive before she was released she exhibited consider¬ 
able digging skills whilst attempting to escape by digging into the soil in 
the corner of her cage. 

An examination of the location and structure of the burrow also 
reveals that it is no casual digging. If the diagrams of the burrow’s location 
and structure are examined it is evident that a considerable amount of 
attention has been given to the siting of the entrance and to the structure 
of the burrow itself. Any animal attempting to dig it out such as a dog 
or a fox would find it a difficult, if not impossible task. The entrance is 
so located as to leave the minimal amount of space for any large animal 
to dig. The fact that the first 30 inches of the tunnel are close up against 
the underside of the log would also contribute towards making it difficult 
to dig out. 

The young would have been approximately I month old (Calaby, 
1960). It appears that the female Numbat may dig a breeding burrow at 
about this time in preparation for the time when the young become too 
large for her to carry. The Numbat has no pouch, the young are simply 
attached to the teats and cling to the long fur on the underside of the 
mother. 

The breeding-burrow, however, as a depositing place for the young 
fills the gap between when the young are too large for the mother to 
carry but still too small to accompany her on foraging expeditions. 

Another almost identical empty burrow', believed to be a Numbat’s, has 
since been discovered in a similar location. This one was liberally lined 
with bark from a nearby paperbark, Melaleuca parviflora. 

REFERENCES 

CALABY, J. H., I960. Observations on the banded ant-eater, Myrmecobius 
/. fasciatus Waterhouse (Marsupialia), with particular reference to its 
food habits. Proc. Zool. Soc . Loud., 135 (2): 183-207. 

GLAUERT, L., 1935. Answers to correspondence. Our Rural Magazine , 
June: 147-150. 

RIDE, W. D. L., 1970. A Guide to the Native Mammals of Australia. 
Oxford Univ. Press. 

SHORTR1DGE, G. C., 1910. An account of the geographical distribution 
of the marsupials and monotremes of south-west Australia, having 
special reference to the specimens collected during the Balston Ex¬ 
pedition of 1904-1907. Proc. Zool. Soc. Loud., 1909: 803-848. 
TROUGHTON, Ellis, 1967. Furred Animals of Australia. Angus & Robert¬ 
son. 

WHITTELL, H. M., 1954. John Gilbert's notebook on marsupials. W. Aust. 
Nat., 4: 104-114. 

WOOD JONES, F., 1923. The Mammals of South Australia. Part I. Govt. 
Printer, Adelaide. 


WATERFOWL SEEN AT LAKE CLAREMONT (BUTLER’S SWAMP) 
IN THE SPRINGS OF 1972 and 1974 

By K. EMORY, I. R. LANTZKE*, G. L. LAMBERT and F. OSBORNE, 
Graylands Teachers College, Mimosa Ave., Graylands, W.A. 

In view of the continuing decrease in the quantity and quality of 
wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain, summarized by Secidon (1972), and 
the sensitivity of birds to environmental effects, it would seem desirable 
to publish periodically lists of birds observed on representative lakes and 
swamps. In this way the interested public may be able to keep informed 
of the position. In late 1972, and again in spring 1974 the water birds 

^Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. 


34 


TABLE 1. THE NUMBER OF ADULT WATERFOWL AND THEIR YOUNG (IN PARENTHESES) SEEN AT LAKE CLAREMONT ON JHE SPECIFIED DATES. 






^ ™ 


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(1)0 > 
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co *- 

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35 





















on Lake Claremont were systematically observed (Osborne, 1972; Emory* 
1972; Lambert, 1974) and the results are presented in Table 1. 

DISCUSSION 

The physical geography of Lake Claremont and its history up to 
1950 have been described by Evans and Sherlock (1950), but since that 
time considerable filling of the lake has occurred. As a result the area 
of near permanent water is now reduced to approximately 50 acres. The 
margins are now steep man made banks around most of the lake and no 
longer carry native plants, being either bare or covered with introduced 
grass (for playing fields). The plants of the wet areas still remaining, do 
not appear to be as changed since 1950 as the lake’s margins. 

The composition of the lake’s water differs from that of the neigh¬ 
bouring lakes, being from approximately 11 to 3 times more saline than 
those of Perry Lakes (except the smaller third lake), Herdsman’s swamp 
and Mongers Lake. Values of chloride ion concentrations (in mg/1) in 
these lakes are given in Table 2. 


TABLE 2.—SOME CHLORIDE ION CONCENTRATIONS IN LAKE CLAREMONT AND 4 
NEIGHBOURING LAKES BETWEEN 1972 AND JANUARY 1975. CONCENTRATIONS AR£ 
IN MG I (PARTS PER MILLION). 


1972 

April 

1973 

December 

April 

1974 

August 

1975 

January 

Lake Claremont 

2,800 

290 

570 

310 

510 

Perry Lakes East 


200 


150 

260 

Perry Lakes central 

410 

180 

410 

76 

193 

Mongers Lake 


150 

210 



Herdsmans Swamp* 


190 

110 


88 

_1 


^Herdsman's swamp figures are for samples taken from a small rather stagnant drain 
on the north side. They may not be representative of the main water mass. 


The very high concentration of chloride ion in Lake Claremont in 
April 1972 is consistent with the low water level noted at that time, when 
the northern end of the lake was little more than a series of connected 
puddles. There was also a heavy growth of algae on the lake’s surface 
at that time. Growths of algae were not observed in the autumn of 1974. 

In considering the bird observations it should be pointed out that, 
while there is no reason to doubt the correctness of all the identifications, 
at the commencement of their field work the observers were not exper¬ 
ienced bird watchers. Also the accuracy of the bird numbers is not 
high, as counts were obtained using several positions around the lake, with 
significant elapsed time between countings, during which bird movement 
could occur. 

Within these limitations it appears that despite further filling of the 
lake between 1972 and 1974 a larger number of water birds frequented 
the lake in 1974 than in 1972. This could be due to differences in the 
timing of the seasons in the two years, but could result from the “improved” 
condition of the water in autumn 1974 compared with autumn 1972. 
Besides the high salinity of the lake in April 1972, the rainfall record 
for Perth shows the winter rains to have commenced late (May: 7 wet 
days and 31.5 mm rainfall) compared with 1974 (May: 15 wet days and 200 
mm rainfall). In 1973 and 1974 total rainfall was above average, whereas 
in 1971 and 1972 it was below average. 

Therefore it appears that despite the filling of the lake a wide range 


36 












of waterfowl spend the late winter and the spring on Lake Claremont 
and that some continue to breed there, at least when the season is wet. 
These include the Pink-eared Duck (both years). The nesting of this spe¬ 
cies on Lake Claremont has been recorded previously (Rook, 1963). 

REFERENCES 

EMORY, K., 1972. Natural Science Option Thesis. Graylands Teachers 
College. 

EVANS, G. A. and N. V. SHERLOCK, 1950. Butler’s Swamp, Claremont, 
W.A. W.A. Naturalist, 2 (7): 152-160. 

LAMBERT, G. L., 1974. Ecology Option Thesis. Graylands Teachers Col¬ 
lege. 

OSBORNE, F., 1972. Natural Science Option Thesis. Graylands Teachers 
College. 

ROOK, D. A., 1963. Nesting of the Pink-eared Duck near Perth. W.A. 
Naturalist, 8 (8): 187-188. 

SEDDON, G., 1972. Sense of Place. University of Western Australia Press: 
Nedlands. Pp. 226-232. 


AN ABANDONED ABORIGINAL CAMP SITE, NEAR 
PARABURDOO, WESTERN AUSTRALIA 

By G. B. WHITFIELD* 

ABSTRACT 

Stone artefacts at an abandoned aboriginal camp have recently been discovered 17 km 
south of Paraburdoo. The camp site is in flat terrain and encircles a 6 m high chert- 
breccia outcrop, the summit of which overlooks the surrounding country for several 
kilometres. A cave exists in the rock outcrop. Artefacts found include spear points, 
grind-stones, a hand axe, various types of scrapers, cutting-flakes and microliths. 

INTRODUCTION 

The author was attracted to the vicinity of the camp site by black and 
white agate in a dry creek bed 17 km south of Paraburdoo. 

Paraburdoo is a fairly new ‘iron ore’ town, situated 980 km north 
northeast of Perth, and there is a void in the literature about the history 
and culture of the early aboriginal people of this area (i.e. the southern 
portion of the Hamersley Range Province). 

From the agate-bearing creek bed, the only significant topographical 
feature, in an otherwise flat terrain, is a 6 m high, 23 m long and 12 m 
wide outcrop of white chert-breccia 120 m to the west. On approaching 
this outcrop angular black and grey chert fragments begin to appear in the 
scree which is mainly white chert-breccia. Many of the black and grey 
chert fragments, on closer inspection, show deliberate flaking and trim¬ 
ming along one or more margins. At the rock outcrop black and grey 
chert fragments are abundant and beneath this outcrop there is a cave 
4.2 m long, 2.5 m wide and 1.1 m high. The floor of the cave is covered by 
a deposit of fine sand about 15 cm thick, and the ceiling is smoke-stained. 

GEOLOGY 

The area of the camp site consists of Recent colluvium and Lower 
Proterozoic sediments of the Wyloo Group. The rock types present are 
banded quartzite and chert (these yielded the black and white agate), 
dolomitic limestone, chert breccia and calcrete. No outcrops of dolerite 
or black and grey chert were found. This indicates that the materials 

* Geology Department, Hamersley Iron Pty. Limited, Paraburdoo, Western Australia 6754. 


37 


forming most of the relicts were collected elsewhere and transported to 
the site. 

CAMP SITE 

The camp site is in a flat area strewn with cobbles and pebbles of 
rounded and angular white chert breccia, has no trees and surrounds a 
6 m high chert breccia outcrop. The cave beneath this rock outcrop pro¬ 
vides the only shade in the area. Water was probably obtained from a creek 
bed (now dry) 600 m to the west, where tall trees and thick scrub still 
exist. A map of the camp site is given in Figure I and a section through 
the rock outcrop is presented in Figure 2. No engravings were observed 
on the reck outcrop. 

The boundary of the camp site is vague due to the random and wide 
scattering of the stone artefacts which may indicate that the site is fairly 
old. At the site, along with the stone relics, were found a tektite and a 
devil’s dice (composed of limonite pscudomorphing pyrite). Mitchell (1949) 
suggests that the aboriginal people may have believed that tektites were 
magic stones possessing magic properties. 

ARTEFACTS 

Implements found on the camp site are all of stone and consist of 
chert, quartz or dolerite (Figure 3). The following were recognised; six 



Fig. 1.—Map of camp site, near Paraburdoo, Western Australia. Rock 
flakes often partly trimmed. Colluvium incorporates prolific white chert 

breccia scree. 


38 












Fig. 2.—Section of 6 m high chert breccia outcrop showing position and 
shape of cave. Section along AA, looking east. 


spear points, three grind-stones, two rounded stones used on the grind¬ 
stones, one hand axe. nine scrapers of various types, two cutting-flakes 
and four microliths. 

Spear points 

These are made from chert or quartz and range from 37 mm to 63 mm 
in length. 

The black or grey chert spear points are leaf-shaped, symmetrical 
points, each possessing fine, regular trimming on two converging lateral 
margins and one or two median ridges. The trimming is on both surfaces 
hence the spear points are of bifacc type. 

The quartz spear point has a broken point-tip and is of Pirri-typc with 
delicate trimming on two lateral margins of one surface. The outer sur¬ 
face has a median ridge that extends from the unmodified butt end to the 
opposite end where the point-tip has been fractured off. The inner sur¬ 
face is flat. 

Grind-stones 

The grind-stones are slab-like and are composed of fresh dolerite. 
They range from 250 mm to 305 mm in length, 185 mm to 253 mm in 
width and 27 mm to 74 mm in thickness. Each has a very smooth, broad, 
shallow depression on one or two flat surfaces. 

Within 3 m of one of the grind-stones were found two rounded 
stones of dolerite each roughly 90 mm in diameter, with one rather flat, 
polished area. Presumably, they were used on the grind-stones during the 
grinding process. 

Hand axe 

This implement, 106 mm long and 110 mm wide, is made of fresh 
dolerite. It is wedge-shaped and rounded on the proximal margin with the 
cutting-edge showing bifacial trimming. The two lateral margins arc broad, 
flat planes produced by grinding and on one of these surfaces there are 
two finger grooves. This axe resembles one illustrated by Mulvaney (1969). 


39 










Pig. 3 ._Artefacts from the Paraburdoo camp site, (a) biface-type spear 

point; (b) Pirri-type spear point with broken off point-tip; (c) broken 
bifacc-typc spear point; (d) bifacc-type spear point; (c) and (f) cutting- 
flakes; (g) geometrical microlith; (h) micro-two-side scraper; (i) micro-semi- 
discoidal scraper; (j) semi-discoidal scraper; (k) nosed scraper; ( 1 ) bimarginal 
point scraper; (m) concave scraper; and (n) one-side scraper. Three fifths 

natural size. 


40 




Scrapers 

Scrapers are the most frequent artefacts found at the camping place. 
They are made of black and grey chert and red jasper and range between 
26 mm to 62 mm in length. The scrapers arc of differing shapes, some 
being irregular, and each possesses a working-edge formed by trimming 
along part or the whole of the margin of a suitable flake. 

Six scraper types have been recognised at this locality. Each type 
depends on the general shape and the number of, and shape or shapes, of 
the working or scraping-edges. Varieties of scrapers found include two- 
side and one-end, semi-discoidal, nosed, concave, bimarginal point and one- 
side scrapers (Figure 3). 

Cutting-flakes 

These implements belong to the fortuitous cutting-flake tools described 
by Mitchell (1949). Two cutting-flakes or ‘cutters’ of black chert were 
found, each about 20 mm by 30 mm in size. They have sharp cutting-edges 
with some fine trimming. The shape of each implement is irregular but, 
with the cutting-edge pointing down, each fits comfortably into one’s right 
hand between thumb and index finger. 

Microliths 

The types of microliths found include one geometric, a triangle, and 
three different types of micro-scrapers. The triangle is quartz and measures 
25 mm in length and 16 mm in width. Its shape is isosceles and it shows 
fine trimming on all three margins. This artefact is similar to one drawn 
in McCarthy (1967). 

Types of micro-scrapers found comprise micro-semi-discoidal, micro- 
two-side and micro-end scrapers. The micro-semi-discoidal scraper consists 
of black chert, is 32 mm long and has coarse trimming on the complete 
periphery. Two prominent parallel median ridges are also present. The 
micro-two-side scraper is made of brownish red chert, is 33 mm long and 
is elongate. The two lateral edges show fine regular trimming. The micro¬ 
end scraper (21 mm long) is made of grey chert and is trapezoid in form 
with the distal end being distinctly rounded from use. The two lateral 
margins are thin and show fine trimming. This implement was possibly 
hafted as the proximal end is relatively thick with a triangular cross-section. 

CONCLUSIONS 

The camp site was a favoured location for a small aboriginal popula¬ 
tion and provided shelter, nearby water and game. The summit of the rock 
outcrop was possibly valued as a strategic point for viewing movements of 
neighbouring peoples. 


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

The author acknowledges Mr D. Holder, the discoverer of the camp 
site and Messrs G. Cobby and D. Holder for assistance in artefact location 
and identification. 

Mr T. Wallis took the photograph forming Figure 3 and Mr M. Groves 
prepared Figures 1 and 2. 

Dr J. Glover read the text. 

REFERENCES 

McCarthy, F. D. 1967.— Australian Aboriginal Stone Implements. The 
Australian Museum, Sydney. 

Mitchell, S. R. 1949.— Stone-Age Craftsmen. Tait, Melbourne. 

Mulvaney, D. J. 1969.— The Prehistory of Australia. Thames and Hudson, 
London. 


41 


OBSERVATIONS ON THE BREEDING OF THE LONG-NECKED 
TORTOISE, CHELOD1NA OBLONGA 

By DIANE NICHOLSON, Wanneroo 

In the twelve months prior to October 1973 an area at the northern 
end of Lake Joondalup was gradually developed as a new housing estate. 
Roads were laid, including one running parallel to the shoreline of the 
lake, some half-dozen houses were occupied and several more were under 
construction. 

During the weekend of October 13/14 large numbers of Long-necked 
Tortoises, Chelodina oblonga, were seen to leave the lake and make their 
way into the bush to lay their eggs. The vegetation of the strip of land 
between the lake and the road is mainly low shrub, grass and ground-cover 
plants. A number of the tortoises laid their eggs within this strip, but 
many crossed the road and entered the denser bush of eucalypt and banksia 
trees, zamia palms, clumps of low shrubs and grass, in the midst of the 
housing area. Nothing stopped their compulsive march to find the correct 
spot in which to dig holes and lay their eggs. My husband and I policed 
them across the road and over the weekend only one was hit and killed 
by a car. Several others were removed from builders’ sheds after they were 
heard battering their way around the tin walls, and one, after repeated 
efforts to dissuade it from trying to get through our carport wall, was car¬ 
ried to the other side of the house where she soon selected a site for her 
nest. 

The process of egg-laying was observed from start to finish. The 
tortoise excavated a hole with her hind legs, heaping the sand around the 
rim farthest from her. The hole became more of a shaft, and a slightly 
larger chamber was dug at the bottom. The depth of the hole varied. 
Though exact measurements were not taken the average depth appeared 
to be about 5-6 in., with the shaft approximately 21-3 in. across, almost 
vertical to the chamber. The hole completed, the tortoise rested for a 
short time and then commenced laying her eggs. One hind leg, noticeably 
the left more often than the right, was left in the shaft, and as each egg 
was laid the foot pushed it out of the way into the chamber. The eggs were 
laid at very short intervals, and when the clutch was completed the hole was 
filled in, again using the hind legs as scoops. Periodically the sand in the 
shaft was firmed down by the tortoise and when the area was level again 
she raised herself up on her hind legs and slammed her shell down onto 
the sand. This action was repeated many times. Then she turned towards 
the lake and set off on her journey back to the water. It was noticed 
that even when a hole was dug in the middle of a clump of grass, after 
the tortoise had finished her work, the untrained eye could detect no 
disturbance. 

The eggs were somewhat cylindrical in shape, without the tapering of 
one end as in a hen’s egg. They were whitish in colour, approximately 3.7 
cm long and 2.2 cm in diameter at their widest part. The number in the 
clutch varied from 2 in the smallest to 15 in the largest, the intervening 
clutch sizes being 6 (4 nests), 7 (one nest) and 9 eggs (2 nests). In another 
nest 4 eggs were accidentally dug up when my block was fenced but, unfor¬ 
tunately, they were all damaged. One tortoise went through the whole 
process of digging a hole and filling it in again without laying a single 
egg. The reason for this was not apparent. 

Because of the development of the area some eggs were laid on build¬ 
ing sites. Three such nests were seen to be made where they were destined 
to be concreted over within a short time, and these eggs I dug up and re¬ 
moved—one clutch of 15, one 9 and the third of 6 eggs. These 30 eggs 
were placed in a chamber, at the base of a 51-6 in. shaft, in sand, on my 
block. Because of the large number of eggs the chamber was made larger 
than any normally made by tortoises and the shaft was possibly wider too. 
The little plot was fenced in with roofing tiles and protected with shade 


42 


cloth to prevent any predators digging up the eggs. Though the area was 
in a sunny position the shade cloth would have reduced the sun’s heat 
somewhat. Otherwise the area around this man-made nest was left entirely 
to nature, no additional w r ater was given by manual watering of the rest 
of the block. 

The weeks went by. On March 17, 1974, in ignorance of the normal 
incubation period of the eggs of Chelodina oblonga (1 had not then read 
the note by Beverley Russ in W. Aust. Nat., 11, 1970: 122), I loosened 
the sand around the 30 eggs. One egg shell was pierced accidentally and, 
on examination, found to contain an apparently fully formed tortoise 
with a small yolk sac about 4 mm in diameter still attached. On June 23, 
thinking that the eggs were infertile or had been ruined by their transfer, 

1 decided to uncover the remaining 29 eggs. After careful probing, at a 
depth of about 21 in., two live hatchlings were found. Then 9 more live 
ones,'together with three which had developed but were decayed in the 
shell, and 7 unfertilised eggs. The other 8 eggs were unaccounted for. 
They had either disintegrated or disappeared without trace. All the live 11 
hatchlings were in the presumably embryonic position, with the neck 
curled deep in to the body, and covered in damp sand. Among them were 
swarms of minute insects. 

They were placed in the driveway in the sun. Some within seconds and 
others within minutes showed signs of life. The neck swung out from 
the body, the head swayed from side to side and the tiny tortoises com¬ 
menced walking. They went in different directions and not one, initially, 
towards the lake. The 11 were placed in a shallow bowl containing water 
and small rocks. At first they appeared to panic and tried to get out, 
but within a few moments they all chose to hide under the rocks. At in¬ 
tervals they raised their nostrils above the water to breathe. 

On the following morning, June 24, at 7 a.m., 9 of the hatchlings 
were taken to the lake and released at a point where the water was ex¬ 
tremely shallow. All immediately made their way to deeper water and 
tended to keep as near to the mud bottom as they could. The remaining 
two were retained as guests of the University kindergarten for a while so 
that the children could observe them. They did not touch the raw mince¬ 
meat fed to them, so they were given bran. The kindergarten teacher was 
not sure whether anything was eaten. They were kept in a large plastic 
bowl containing sand and rocks, with a small pond. After four weeks I 
collected the tortoises and found them highly active. 

They were then held in a small container with similar .surroundings, 
and it was noted that one spent most its time in the water while the other 
preferred to be half-buried in the sand, usually half under a rock. On 
being fed shredded raw mincemeat the water-baby attacked it voraciously, 
but consumed only two small pieces. The other one appeared quite dis¬ 
interested and made its way back to its position under the rock. When in 
the pond both raised half of their necks out of the water, and breathing 
movements were visible along the upper portions of the neck. It was also 
noticed that the eyes blink, but withdrawal movements of the head are 
only made when a really sudden movement is made near the tortoise. 
There is no such reaction for a mere slow waving motion of the hand 
above or near its head. 

Of the hatchlings which must have been raised naturally along the 
lake margin only two have been reported. Inquiries have revealed that 
one neighbour saw two in his back garden and carried them to the lake. 
It is certain that some nests were entombed as building work in the area 
progressed. What the natural survival rate is in normal circumstances is 
unknown. The young tortoises on my block were removed 252 days after 
the eggs were laid. Is this a normal time before the emergence of hatchlings, 
and how much longer would they have remained in the nest if they had 
been undisturbed? Beverley Russ (ibid.), from eggs laid in November at 
Bridgetown by the Blackwood River, found that the first had hatched 
exactly six months later but had not yet emerged from the soil. 


43 


Measurements were not taken at the time the tortoises were first 
removed from the sand, but after 4 weeks they were as follows: Upper 
shell, 30 mm long, 23 mm at the widest part; neck, 35 mm long, 5 mm 
at narrowest; head, 10 mm across; legs, 20 mm from the shell to the 
needle-like toes. 


THE FLORA OF HUNTS DAM RESERVE, MERREDIN 
By Mrs. M. B. MILLS, Merredin 

Hunt’s Dam Reserve is an area of approximately 31-36 hectares 
(78 acres) of undulating land and large granite rocks. The area is clas¬ 
sified as “Recreation” Reserve 29700 which is vested in the Shire of 
Merredin. It formerly comprised three separate areas. In the north-west 
was vacant crown land. In the east Reserve 17042 (Avon Location 13196) 
was a former reserve for “Camping and Utility”. The balance of the 
land was former Reserve 1314 (Avon Location 17657) which was set 
apart for the purpose of “Water” and vested in the Minister for Water 
Supply, Sewerage and Drainage. 

It is situated north of Merredin township about 31 miles from the 
railway station, on Chandler Road. 

In recent years a signboard has been erected which reads: Hunt’s 
Dam, originally built in 1866, by Surveyor C. Hunt using convict labour. 
According to local history Surveyor Hunt and his party pitched camp at 
the granite rocks and in an unusual breach formed by two large rocks 
built a wall of earth and stone to form a dam. 

Since the days of my childhood Hunt’s Dam has been a source of 
interest to me; many singular species of flora grow there which do not 
occur in other places in the district. 

There are several species of Acacia and some of these trees are very 
large and very old, bent and gnarled, forming grotesque shapes. Lack of 
rootholds on the edges and clefts in the rocks, high winds and time have 
caused the trees to grow in this manner. 

There is black-barked manna gum, Acacia microbotrya , which has 
delicious gum exuding from the limbs of the trees, Acacia lasiocalyx with 
graceful long fingers of flowers, Acacia cyanophylla and Acacia acuminata. 
In May and into springtime these trees carry a heavy covering of yellow 
blossoms. 

In sheltered places near the rocks, the tobacco plant, Nicotiana rotun- 
difolia, with small whitish-grey flowers and large cabbage-like leaves can 
be found, its leaves giving off a strong odour due to sulphur and nicotine 
in the leaves. 

At the base of the rocks near the dam beautiful red bottle brush, 
Melaleuca fulgens, grows as well as the climber, Muehlenbeckia adpressa, 
and “blind grass”, Stypandra imbricata. 

A shrub of Cassia pleurocarpa has made its appearance here in the 
past few years; there is only one shrub, but it is growing very well in 
rich soil, amongst Acacias. 

Sheltering under the ledges of rocks are “snake bushes”, Isotoma 
petraea, while on the rocks in pockets of soil hop bushes, Dodonaea atten- 
uata, grow with golden brown seed pods and a strong odour coming from 
the leaves. 

Here too, grows the graceful small shrub Glycyrrhiza acanthocarpa 
with pink pea-shaped flowers and long brown seed pods. 

In clefts on the rock scarlet flowers of Kunzea pulchella may be seen 
in November. 

Further up from the dam and rocks on an incline is a group of 


44 


interesting trees. Pittosporum phillyraeoides with pale green foliage sweep¬ 
ing to the ground and bearing beautiful orange-red berries which split 
open revealing small round seeds within, which are held in the pods by a 
sticky substance. The trees have a peculiar odour, especially the berries, 
but it is unique and pleasant. 


Also on the incline is a greyish-white shrub, Ricinocarpus velutinus, 
which is fairly common in the north-eastern agricultural areas and adjacent 
pastoral areas, but is near its southern limit in this district; it does not 
apparently occur anywhere else in this district. 

Here too, is Hakca recurva and Grevillea pciniculatci, small trees. 

On the incline and further afield is thickly covered brown, waving 
spear grass, Aristida contorta. 

An uncommon plant which is rare here is Abutilon oxycarpum and 
belongs to the hibiscus family. It is of unusual interest as it occurs otherwise 
only in the northern and eastern pastoral regions. 

Growing in only one area here, sheltered by rocks and boulders, is 
a small plant, Helichrysum ambiguum, which is more typical of the drier 
inland districts; it has a very strong odour when the leaves are crushed, 
which is very head-clearing if one has hay-fever. 

Red-centred mauve Hibiscus grows along a water course, but is 
common throughout the district. 

Sandalwood trees, Suntalum spicalum, grow prolifically on the reserve 
and bear an abundance of brown-skinned fruit, the kernel of the nut being 
delicious to eat, raw or cooked. 

Casuarina acutivalvis wave and whisper in the wind, tall, straight and 
graceful with pendulous reddish-brown male flowers and large dark nuts. 

There are many different species of grasses here, Briza maxima, Briza 
minima, and a scented grass, Cymbopogon ambiguus, which is rare here 
but is a widespread species in the north of the State, but does not extend 
far south of this district. 

On the western and northern flats around the rocks there is a pro¬ 
fusion of shrubs and flowers and small trees as follows: 


Acacia acuminata 
Acacia microbotrya 
Acacia lasiocalyx 
Acacia cyanophylla 
A ngianthus tomentosus 
Dam pi era lavandulacea 
Ursinia anthemoides 
Waitzia acuminata 
Sida calyxhymenia 
T rich iniurn polystachyum 
Stackhousia huegelii 
Brunonia australis 
Helipterum spicatum 
Enchylaena sp. 

Melaleuca fulgens 
Ptilotus spathulatus 
Podolepis canescens 
Muehlenbeckia adpressa 
Podotheca gnaphalioides 


Brachycome iberidifolia 
Eriachne ovata 
Solarium nigrum 
Casuarina acutivalvis 
Aristida contorta 
Hakea recurva 
Podolepis lessonii 
Santalum spicatum 
Alyxia buxifolia 
Isotropis juncea 
Melaleuca radula 
Waitzia aurea 

Helichrysum lindleyi (formerly known 
as H. roseum) 

Schoenia cassiniana 
Caladenia filamentosa? var. 
denticulata 

Eremophila drummondii 
Isotoma hypocrateriformis 


Donkey Orchids and small Blue Orchids are dotted about the flat. 
Eucalypt trees are scattered about the reserve. 

This part of the reserve is not usually frequented by tourists or 
locals, so it is in its natural state of rugged beauty. 

I am grateful to Mr. R. D. Royce, of the Department of Agriculture, 
South Perth, for identifying the specimens of the species mentioned. 


45 



By G. J. KEIGHERY, Kings Park & Botanic Garden, West Perth 


Darwinia and Pimelea are widespread genera throughout temperate 
Australia and probably originated in this region. 'I he families to which they 
belong, however, the Myrtaceae andJhymeleaceae, respectively, are con- 


Darwinia a 


sidered only distantly related (Hutchison, 1969 and 'lakhatjan, 1969), 



c 


Fig. 1—Single Flowers. 

Fig. la —Pimelea rosea —anther dehiscence. 
Fig. jb —Pimelea rosea —stigma receptive. 
Fig. lc —Pimelea physocles. 

Fig. Id —Darwinia macrostegia. 

Fig. le —Darwinia vestita. 


pp—pollen presenter st—stigma 


46 


























although Cronquist (1968) has placed them in the same order, the Myrtales, 
but in different sections. 

Naturally the basic inflorescence and floral structure shows this lack 
of relationship (see Fig 1, a-e and Fig. 2, c and d). The flowers of Pim¬ 
elea have four perianth parts, with four or two anthers per flower, while 
Darwinia has five perianth parts and numerous anthers per flower. Reasons 
for the divergent inflorescence organization will be offered later. 

Both genera show extreme protandry, but in remarkably different 
ways. In most species of Pimelea, the anthers dehisce, then fall, being re- 



Fig. 2a —Darwinia macrostegia. 
Fig. 2b —Pimelea physodes. 

Fig. 2c —Darwinia vestita. 

Fig. 2d —Pimelea rosea. 

(a, b and c from herbarium material) 


47 





placed by a receptive stigma (Fig 1, a and b). In Darwinia, the anthers 
dehisce in the bud and extrude their pollen suspended in an oily liquid 
onto a pollen presenter located near the tip of the style (Fig 1, d and e). 
As the bud opens the style is extended and the pollen becomes available 
for dispersal, at a later date the stigma becomes receptive. 

Morcombc (1968, 1970) has indicated that butterflies arc the probable 
major vectors of Pimelea, and my personal observations fully support 
his hypothesis (Table 3). The long tubular corolla of Pimelea is ideally 
suited to such a vector, as is the open nature of the inflorescence (Fig 2, d). 

Generally, Darwinia has been found to be bird pollinated in Eastern 
Australia, in studies by Brewster (1915) and Briggs (1962, 1964). Briggs 
(1964) docs indicate that some of the smaller species are also visited by 
insects. Many western species of the genus are also bird pollinated, see 
Tables 1 and 2. These snecies generally have large showy bracts surround¬ 
ing the inflorescence (Fig 2, a: and also illustrations in Gardner, 1968), 
and a long style to deposit pollen on the visitors’ head (Fig I, d). Most 
of these species have the pollen presenter situated below the apex where 
the stigma is located and will not self although all species studied are 
self fertile (Briggs, 1964). However some species with round floral heads, 
e.g. D. nielandia, have the stigmatic head covered by the pollen presenter 
and can self. These species apparently form a distinct group in the bird 
pollinated species. 

The other group of species of Darwinia in Western Australia have 
insignificant bracts and small white flowers (Fig 1, c and Fig 2, c) and 
are pollinated by insects; see Tables 1 and 2. All species in this group 
are able to effect self pollination. 

One species of Pimelea , P. physodes Hook, has long caused consider¬ 
able comment because of its external similarity to Darwinia macrostegia 
(Good, 1956 and Hutchison, 1969). This similarity has been noted as an 
extremely unusual example of parallel evolution that could not be ex- 


TABLE 1.—POLLINATION 

VECTORS OF DARWINIA 

SPP IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 

Species 

Area 

Vectors observed 

0. speciosa 

Hill River 

Lichmera indistincta * 



Gliciphila melanops # 

D. macrostegia 

Slopes of 

Acanthorhynchus 


Mt. Toolbrunup 

superciliosus* 

D. nieldiana 

Eneabba to 

Acanthochaera chrysoptera * 


Jurien Bay Road 

Phylidonyris nlger* 

D. citriodora 

Darlington 

Acanthorhynchus 



superciliosus * 

D. thymoides 

Chittering 

Thinnidae (flower wasps) 



Native Bees 

D. vestita 

7 miles west 

Thinnidae (flower wasps) 


Mt. Barker 

Native Bees 

D. diosmoides 

Two Peoples 

Thinnidae (flower wasps). 


Bay 

Exoneura sp. (Bee) 

D. pauciflora 

Mullewa 

Thinnidae (flower wasps) 


*Birds 


TABLE 2.—POLLINATION TYPES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DARWINIAS. 


Large showy bracts- 
birds 

Small bracts- 
insects 

Uncertain 

D. pimelioides 

D. thymoides 

D. acerosa 

D. speciosa 

D. vestita 

D. oederoides 

D. carnea 

D. repens 

D. Oldfieldii 

D macrostegia 

D. pauciflora 

D. virescens 

D. hypericifolia 

D. polycephala 

D. purpurea 

D. helichrysoides 

D. rhadinophylla 

D. sanguinea 

D. meissneri 

D. diosmoides 


D. meeboldii 

D. plnifolia 


D. collina 

D. verticordina 


D. squarrosa 



D. nieldiana 



D. citriodora 



12 species 

9 species 

6 species 


48 











TABLE 3.— POLLINATION VECTORS OF PIMELEA 
O, denotes original 


Species 

Area 

Source 

Vector* 

P. sulphurea 

Cockleshell Gully 

Original 

Canadalldes acastus 

p. sulphurea 

Yanchep 

O 

Vanessa kershawl 
Vanessa itea 

P. erruginea 

Yanchep 

O 

Vanessa kershawi 
Vanessa itea 
Taractrocera papyria 
Canadalides 
hyacinthinus 

P. rosea 

Darlington 

O 

Vanessa itea 

Vanessa kershawi 
Danaus chryssipus 
petilia 

P. spectabilis 

Mount 

Chudalup 

O 

Heteronympha merope 
duboulayi 

P. spectabilis 

30 miles north 
Pemberton 

O 

Heteronympha merope 
duboulayi 

P. suaveolens 

Darlington 


Vanessa itea 

P. sylvestris 

Shannon River 

O 

unident, butterfly 

P. augustifolia 

Walpole 

O 

unident, butterfly 

P. sp. 

Stirlings 

O 

Neolucia agricola 

P. sp. 

Stirlings 

O 

Heteronympha merope 
duboulayi 

P. haemostachya 

Frazer, 

Burdekin 

River, Old. 

Morcombe, 

1970 

Anapheis java 

P. physodes 

Fitzgerald 

River 

Reserve 

O 

Gliciphila melanops 
(bird) 

P. sp. 

Black Mountain, 
Canberra 

O 

unldent. butterfly 

P. sp. 

Woy Woy, N.S.W. 

Rayment, 

Halictus urbanus Sm. 

_ 


1935 

(bee) 


*all butterflies unless stated 


plained (see Fig 2, b) by usual methods. As noted, however, in Table 1, 
the author has found this species to be bird pollinated. The radically dif¬ 
ferent flower with its long style and anthers (Fig. 1, c) ensures effective 
placement and pick-up of pollen with this new vector. The large bracts 
serve an attractant function as in the bird pollinated species of Darwinia. 

The range of P. physodes borders that of large numbers of bird pol¬ 
linated Darwinias which grow in the Stirling Ranges, where over 20 species 
of honeyeater are found. It would appear, therefore, that such mimicry 
must be of adaptive advantage to the species, especially as it flowers 
during the middle of the year when most honey plants are not in flower 
(including most species of Darwinia). The species thus provides an abundant 
nectar source for the honeyeaters when few are available. 

SUMMARY 

The 4 paraller evolution shown by Pimelea physodes is shown to be 
of adaptive value in utilizing a new vector source, not able to be used by 
other members of the genus. Its occurrence near the greatest concen¬ 
tration of bird pollinated Darwinia species of similar morphology suggests 
a form of mimicry may be operating. This species, because of these adap¬ 
tations, now forms a distinct group in the genus Pimelea. 

Further study upon the pollination systems of our species of Darwinia 
is needed to erect an evolutionary sequence of morphological change in 
this genus. 

REFERENCES 

BREWSTER, A. A., 1915. Observations on the pollination of Darwinia 
fasicularis . Rudge (N. O. Myrtaceac). Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 40: 
753-758. 

BRIGGS, B. G., 1962. The New South Wales species of Darwinia. Contrih. 
N.S.W. Nat. Herb., 3: 129-150. 

BRIGGS, B. G., 1964. The control of interspecific hybridization in 
Darwinia. Evoln., 18: 292-303. 


49 





CRONQUIST, A., 1968. The Evolution and Classification of Flowering 
Plants. Nelson and Sons, London. 

GARDNER, C. A., 1968. Wildflowers of Western Australia. Ed. H. F. 

Parkinson. West. Aust. Newspapers, Perth. 

GOOD, R., 1956. Features of Evolution in the Flowering Plants. Longmans, 
Green and Co., London. 

HUTCHISON, J., 1969. Evolution and Phylogeny of Flowering Plants. 
Acad. Press, London. 

MORCOMBE, M., 1969. Australia's Western Wildf lowers. Landfall Press, 
Perth. 

MORCOMBE, M., 1970. Australia's Wild flowers. Lansdowne Press, Sydney. 
RAYMENT, T., 1935. A Cluster of Bees. Endeavour, Sydney. 
TAKHATAJAN, A., 1969. Flowering Plants, Origin and Dispersal. Oliver 
and Boyd, Edinburgh. 


SOME FIELD OBSERVATIONS ON NVYTSIA FLORIBUNDA 
(LA BILL.) R.BR. 

By THOMAS GOBEL* 

INTRODUCTION 

All authors describing the aspects and peculiarities of the Western 
Australian flora mention the monotypic Nuytsia florihunda and point to 
its peculiar appearance; for example in the recent works of Morcombe 
(1968), Seddon (1972) and Erickson (1973) and others. The authors usually 
mention the following characteristics: 

(1) Nuytsia is one of the three genera of the family of Loranthaceae root¬ 
ing in the ground. The second genus which is also found in Australia, 
Atkinsonia, is also monotypic; the third, Gaiadendron, contains a few 
species in South America. 

(2) The abundance and magnificence of its blossoms, blooming from De¬ 
cember until the middle of January and especially copious after forest 
fires. 

(3) The arborescencc and size which is unique among the Loranthaceae. 

(4) The secondary bend of the boughs related to the development of more 
than one cambium ring. 

(5) The growth of very long root-runners which produce the root-suckers 
thereby providing for the vegetative propagation of the plant. (Regenera¬ 
tion by means of seeds seems to be exceptional). 

Beyond these there are only very few specific studies of Nuytsia. Her¬ 
bert (1918) was the first to find out that it is a root parasite. Diels (1906) 
doubted its parasitism, because in some cases he could not find any suit¬ 
able host plants within a considerable distance around the plant. He writes: 
“It would be—at least for the full-grown state of the tree—a very forced 
assumption, if one imagined that it takes its nutrition from the roots of 
those comparatively dwarf shrubs thriving scantily at its feet.” Grass, later 
discovered as a possible host by Herbert, was not even taken into consid¬ 
eration. 

Further descriptions of the parasitism of Nuytsia arc to be found 
in Ewart’s (1930) study: he writes that carrot root crops are parasitized. 
McKee (1952) found the roots of neighbour plants parasitized. Main 
(1947) presents a study in which he draws attention to the poor germina- 
tive faculty of Nuytsia seeds and the difficulties of artificial propagation. 
Narayana (1955, 1958) worked on the morphology of the blossom and the 
embryology. Beyond these only a few scattered remarks arc to be found 

* Carl Gustav Carus Institut, D7530 Pforzheim, Hachelallee 55, West Germany 


50 


in literature. Seddon (1972), for example mentions the length of the root- 
runners and Kuijt (1969) reports that by producing specific enzymes the 
hailstorm can attack even synthetic materials. A telephone cable cut by 
Nuytsia is exhibited in the Western Australian Herbarium. 

In spite of its conspicuous appearance and morphological, histological 
ana physiological peculiarities Nuytsia has not been studied very much 
u-. ?k C 11 l eems a PP r °P riate to report on a series of field observations 
which the author carried out from December 21st to December 27th 1973 
I hey pertain to the morphology and the leaf position of a one-year-old 
loot-sucker and the shape of the underground stem of a young plant. 


THE AREA OF OBSERVATION 

The observation area was located 22 km east of Augusta, 2.4 km 
north of the Scott River. It covers 250 m to the north-south and 100 m 
to the east-west. This area was chosen because it came closest to the author’s 
idea of a natural habitat of Nuytsia. That may be wrong. In any case it 
has already become difficult nowadays to find natural habitats of Nuytsia 
in an area ranging from 64 km north of Geraldton (the most northerly 
Nuytsia observed), across the Swan Coastal Plain and the Darling Range 
down to Albany in the south, the author happened on only one other exten¬ 
sive habitat. This was on a sandy rise near the Harris River, 8 km east of 
IreesviIIe, between Collie and Quindanning. However, neither root- 
suckers nor very old plants were to be found there. The cause for the 
scarcity of undisturbed habitats is the almost complete agricultural exploita¬ 
tion ot the Swan Coastal Plain and the increasingly extensive agricultural 
and forestry developments in the Darling Range and the area between 
Bunbury, Augusta and Albany. The search for such habitats was pursued 
over a period of 16 days. The study area was a flat south-west slope of a 
sandy rise, apparently the furthest one to the north-west of a series of 
such, stretching from the observation post to the south and the east. To 
the west stretched a flat swamp bearing heathy vegetation, while the rise 
itselt was wooded. The trees consisted mainly of Jarrah (Eucalyptus mar- 
ginata) intermixed with a few (5%) Marri (Eucalyptus calophylla). In the 
second zone of trees Banksui ilicifolia was rather frequent whereas Nuytsia 
flonbunda was rarer. There was a total lack of brushwood in the observa¬ 
tion area. However, a great deal of burnt or dried up shrubbery was found, 
these and the fresh layer of carbonized remains as well as the great num- 
hnrnt *° n< ;‘cv?o F ‘?' d seedlings pointed to the fact that the area was 

ournt m 1972. In the herbaceous zone there were loosely spread Carcx 
species, beside the Acacia seedlings and one-year-old root-suckers of 
Nuytsia floribumta. These root-suckers grow in clusters on areas of 60-140 
m » sometimes very close together, 10 to 30 specimens on the square metre, 
mostly, however, 4 to 10. Mosses and lichens were not observed. The soil 
in the observation area consisted of medium to fine-grained sand. Except 
tor the upper 3 to 5 cm of the soil profile appearing grey to grey-black, 
mere was no differentiation into strata down to a depth of 120 cm. The 

vp W, °Th' he - S | 0iI from . 5 \° 120 cm varied from a light grey to a faint 
yellow. The soil was perfectly light without any clay. The moisture did not 
change with depth. It stayed fresh. 

Figure 1 gives a general view of the location with the young Nuytsia 
jloribunda in the centre which was dug out a little later. 


THE OCCURRENCE OF NUYTSIA FLORIBUNDA IN THE 
OBSERVATION AREA 

Two loosely growing clusters of Nuytsia jloribunda with a few young¬ 
er plants in between were found in the observation area. Only the northerly 
cluster had a very old full-grown specimen of 14 m in height. It grew on 
the edge of an open space in the west that passed into the swamp. In its 
surroundings 11 younger specimens were found. The second group at the 
south end of the explored area consisted of 16 younger to middle-aged 
specimens. The distance between the specimens was 4 to 22 m. The 
root-suckers which had obviously developed only after the forest fire of 


51 


1972 were only rarely found near the older specimens, except for those 
growing immediately around the base of the trunks. They seemed to 
prefer the lighter spaces of the stock. 

THE MORPHOLOGY OF A ONE-YEAR-OLD ROOT-SUCKER 

A suitable root-sucker was chosen for examination. If possible it 
should have grown without a bend in the main stem. The additional sub- 
shoots ought to be regularly developed on all sides. (If the root-suckers 
grow closely together their additional shoots appear to be checked by the 




Fig. 1. —General view of the observation area with the young Nuytsia 
floribunda (leaning) which was dug out. 

Fig. 2.—The Nuytsia floribiinda dug out as a whole; its dimensions are 
set out in Table 2, p. 56. 


52 





others.) There were 73 leaved nodes counted on the chosen root-sucker, 
only the two next to the roots had no leaves (lost?). The leaves closest 
to the ground were visibly broader and shorter than the following ones. 
They passed continuously into the lanceolate shape by 3 or 4 leaves. The 
two leaves at the top apparently had not yet stopped growing. They were 
visibly smaller and of a lighter shade. Past the 73rd leaf on the 75th node 
towards the top a zone of growth was found with buds and internodes, 
that had not come to an end with their formation and lengthening. Nodes 
with buds could be made out by means of a magnifying glass up to the 
83rd. Additional shoots were found without exception in the axils of the 
leaves of nodes 16 to 41. The additional shoots were distributed as follows 
on the 42nd to 54th nodes: 

+ = with additional shoot — = without additional shoot 


nodes: 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 

+ + — ++ — + + 
A 

first node without 
add. shoot 


48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 

— + — +-+- 

A 

last node with 
add. shoot 


Table 1 was included in order to show that the length of the internodes 
reveals a certain rhythm. In two sequences the 5th internode respectively is 
lengthened. The two sequences were marked A and B. (In order to mark 
the different internodes of these sequences they were given the ordinal 
number of the node below). Thus sequence A consists of the internodes 30, 
35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 and sequence B of the internodes 27, 32, 
37, 42, 47, 52, 57, 62, 67, 72. If one compares the length of the internodes 
(Table 1) of the two sequences it is obvious that A is dominant towards 
the top, B towards the root. (The length of the internodes in that sequence 
begins unsystematically in the lower part). The first systematic lengthening 
can be observed at internode 14. Then follow 18, 23, 27 and 32. The differ¬ 
ences here arc 4, 5, 4, 5. The difference remains 5 within sequence B up 
to the topmost measurable internode (72). One more lengthened internode 
(68, 73) follows the two topmost internodes (67, 72) immediately. Sequence 
A starts, yet indistinctly, at internode 30 and after internode 60, it over¬ 
takes the length of sequence B. 

In order to find out the leaf position of this root-sucker the angle 
formed by two adjacent central leaf axes and the stem was measured on a 
number of leaves (accuracy of ± 0.5°), i.e. on the nodes 33 to 52. The 
result was a median angle of 136°, 54’ with a maximum spread of 
2.5°. This satisfies quite exactly a leaf position of 8/21, the mathematical 
equivalent is an angle of 137°, 8’, 4”. A leaf position of 8/21 of the leaves 
of dicotyledons seems to be a rare exception. If one takes into considera¬ 
tion that each of the two sequences of lengthened internodes (A and B) 
correspond to a distichous leaf position, the sequences A and B run along 
the main stem on approximately opposite sides. 


THE MORPHOLOGY OF A ROOT-STOCK OF NUYTSIA 
FLORIBUNDA 

In order to understand the morphology of the root-stock of Nitytsia 
floribunda, the root of a younger specimen was dug out. Thus many 
haustoria could be found. The smallest (youngest?) of the examples in the 
observation area was chosen. It could be distinguished from all other 
individuals by the fact that the main stem did not show the bend so 
typical of later age. The trunk itself was 5.18 m high, the main stem having 
died away by burning at 4.90 m. It had already been replaced by an addi¬ 
tional shoot of equally vertical growth. At its base the trunk (including 
the bark) had a diameter of 177 mm; at 30 cm above the surface it was 
148 mm: at 100 cm, the same, and at 500 cm, 18 mm 


TECHNIQUE OF DIGGING 

In order to gain a suitable starting-point for the search of haustoria a 
ditch was dug from the foot of the trunk to the south, 50 cm deep, 50 cm 
wide and 100 cm long. Two hausoria were found accidentally. After that 


53 


TABLE 1 


Ord. Height 

Number of In- 
of the sertion 
node (mm) 

Length 
of Inter¬ 
nodes 
(mm) 

addition shoot 
yes + 

no — length 
(mm) 

Ord. Height 

Number of In- 
of the sertion 
node (mm) 

Length 
of Inter¬ 
nodes 
(mm) 

addition shoot 
yes + 

no — length 
(mm) 

1 

0 

— 

— 


38 

178 

5 

+ 

99 

2 

1 

1 

— 


39 

184 

6 

+ 

104 

3 

2 

1 

— 


40 

193 

A 9 

+ 

138 

4 

9 

7 

— 


41 

194 

1 

+ 

107 

5 

9 

0 

— 


42 

204 

B 10 

— 


6 

10 

1 

— 


43 

207 

3 

+ 

48 

7 

13 

3 

— 


44 

213 

6 

+ 

106 

8 

14 

1 

— 


45 

223 

A 10 

— 


9 

17 

3 

— 


46 

223 

0 

+ 

114 

10 

22 

5 

— 


47 

233 

B 10 

+ 

76 

11 

28 

6 

— 


48 

238 

5 

— 


12 

28 

0 

— 


49 

245 

7 

+ 

106 

13 

30 

2 

— 


50 

256 

A 11 

— 


14 

39 

B 9 

— 


51 

257 

1 

+ 

101 

15 

42 

3 

— 


52 

269 

B 12 

— 


16 

48 

6 

+ 

180 

53 

272 

3 

— 


17 

51 

3 

+ 

256 

54 

281 

9 

+ 

38 

18 

61 

B 10 

+ 

2 

55 

292 

A 11 

— 


19 

65 

4 

+ 

99 

56 

298 

6 

— 


20 

69 

4 

4 - 

190 

57 

309 

B 11 

— 


21 

73 

4 

+ 

221 

58 

316 

7 

— 


22 

75 

2 

4- 

252 

59 

323 

7 

— 


23 

87 

B 12 

4 - 

190 

60 

333 

A 10 

— 


24 

96 

9 

4- 

195 

61 

339 

6 

— 


25 

98 

2 

4 - 

228 

62 

348 

B 9 

— 


26 

99 

1 

4. 

267 

63 

355 

7 

— 


27 

112 

B 13 

4- 

237 

64 

362 

7 

— 


28 

115 

3 

4- 

248 

65 

372 

A 10 

— 


29 

122 

7 

. 4 - 

217 

66 

377 

5 

— 


30 

130 

8 

4 - 

228 

67 

386 

B 9 

— 


31 

133 

3 

4 - 

209 

68 

396 

10 

— 


32 

145 

B 12 

4 - 

215 

69 

401 

5 

— 


33 

149 

4 

4 - 

193 

70 

412 

A 11 

— 


34 

154 

5 

4 * 

213 

71 

417 

5 

— 


35 

164 

A 10 

4 - 

225 

72 

425 

B 8 

— 


36 

166 

2 

+ 

206 

73 

434 

9 

— 


37 

173 

B 7 

4 - 

123 

74 

439 

5 

— 







75 

451 

A 12 

— 



54 









the remaining wall was dug out from beneath with a small shovel so that 
the sand from above came crumbling down. Now and then some knocking 
and scratching with the hand from below was helpful. By this method no 
finer roots were injured. In this way a circular area, 200 cm in diameter 
and 50 cm deep was dug out. 

DISTRIBUTION OF THE HAUSTORIA 

It turned out that haustoria were developed only in the upper 10-12 
cm of the soil around very fine roots, mostly of Carex sp., in some cases 



Fig. 3. — Haustoria of Nuytsia floribitncla. 


55 




of Eucalyptus spp. A total of 64 haustoria were found which appeared to 
be snow-white in colour as described by Herbert (1918) and which sur¬ 
rounded the host-root in a ring. In two cases the haustoria did not con¬ 
nect into a ring. The exterior diameter of the haustoria lay between 2.5 
mm and 8 mm. Fig. 3 shows a haustorium of 6 mm in diameter. 

The Nuytsia-iooi to which a haustorium belongs, was in every case 
thinner than 0.5 mm and equally white. All haustoria-bcaring Nuytsia -roots 
did not spring from the trunk itself but from the abundant number of root- 
suckers that sprang from the root-neck of the main trunk 6-10 cm deep in 
the ground (Fig. 4). 

After it had become evident that there would be no further haustoria 
in the deeper layers, digging into the depth was continued without any 
special precaution. 

THE SHAPE OF THE UNDERGROUND STEM 

The underground stem had the shape of a turnip which changed 85 cm 
below the surface from the vertical to a horizontal tap-root spreading 
immediately into 4 roots (Fig. 5). Furthermore nine other roots were 
made out springing horizontally from the turnip-root in a depth of 70-78 
cm and rising vertically at some further distance. Table 2 gives the measure¬ 
ments of the turnip-root and the diameters of the roots. 

Fig. 2 shows the Nuytsia floribunda which was dug out as a whole. A 
closer look at the surface of the turnip-root shows that it is covered with 


TABLE 2.—DIMENSIONS OF THE STUDY TREE 


TRUNK and 

UNDERGROUND STEM 

ROOT 

Position 

Girth 

(mm) 

diameter 

(mm) 

No. 

/ diameter at a distance of 20 cm 
from the turnip-root 
(mm) 

30 cm 
above the 
surface 


148 

1 


60 

10 cm 
above the 
surface 


170 

2 


52 

surface 


177 

3 


104 

14 cm 
below the 
surface 

1,190 

379 

4 


78 

30 cm 
below the 
surface 

1.325 

422 

5 


92 

40 cm 
below the 
surface 

1.475 

470 

6 


84 

50 cm 
below the 
surface 

1,340 

433 

7 


57 

60 cm 
below the 
surface 

122 

388 

8 


28 

85 cm 
below the 
surface 


60 

9 


32 




10 a 


40 




10 b 


35 




10 c 


26 




10 d 


22 


56 












ring-shaped bark-folds. These are presumably the cicatrized remains of 
withered root-runners. That means, however, that the root-runners are 
periodically replaced by new roots at greater depth. This is supported by 
the fact the root marked 3 had withered at a distance of 1.10 m from the 
turnip root. Only very little amount of organic remains was found in 
front of the still living stump. Another fact speaks in favour of this: root 
No. 3 with a diameter of 104 mm was the strongest and at the same time 
the one in the least depth (60 cm). 


Fig. 4.—Root-suckers of Nuytsia ftoribiinda which spring from the root- 
neck of the main trunk. 


57 


In the end an attempt was made to dig out root No. 6. This plan was 
given up after 21 m. Table 3 gives the diameters of the root at every metre. 
Only one branch was found on the total length of that root and that at a 
distance of 19 m from the foot of the trunk where a root of 22 mm in 
diameter branched off to the front in an acute angle. 

After cutting the part of the trunk above the ground, a colourless gum 
flowed out, especially intensely in a ring of 1 cm width, measured from 
the bark to the centre. This flow continued for about 24 hours. The gum 
coagulated into a sticky substance that stood up like hair over the milk 



Fig. 5. — Four views of the underground stem of Nuytsia jloribunda. 


58 



TABLE 3 


length 

(m) 

diameter 

(mm) 

length 

(m) 

diameter 

(mm) 

length 

(m) 

diameter 

(mm) 

0 

89 

8 

44 

15 

43 

1 

64 

9 

41 

16 

46 

2 

59 

10 

41 

17 

43 

3 

50 

11 

43 

18 

43 

4 

47 

12 

43 

19 

43 

5 

46 

13 

45 

20 

39 

6 

44 

14 

45 

21 

39 

7 

42 






tubules. A light-green gum, however, flowed from the turnip-root and took 
a little longer to coagulate into drops. The zone in the root from which 
the gum ran was 8 cm wide and lay in the exterior third of the cross- 
section. The root-runners had the light-green gum flow across the total 
cross-section. 

The existence of such an important storage organ as the turnip-root 
of that enormous size compared to the above-ground part of the plant, 
explains perhaps the magnificence of the blossoms of Nuytsia floribunda 
especially after forest fires. Specimens were seen by the author blooming 
abundantly with yellow flowers and bearing no single leaf capable of as¬ 
similation. 

The observations described here are single cases and need repetition 
before the leaf position and the existence of a turnip-root can be taken as an 
established generalisation. To assess the possible significance of the turnip- 
root, repeated observations would be desirable. 

SUMMARY 

Near Augusta in Western Australia a one-year-old rootsucker and an 
entire young plant of Nuytsia floribunda were observed with regard to 
their morphological characteristics. Two sequences of internodes of the 
rootsucker, belonging to two approximately opposite distichs of the leaf 
position, are promoted before all others. The leaf position of this shoot is 
18/21. The younger specimen which was dug out with a trunk of 15 cm in 
diameter, 30 cm above the ground, had a turnip-root of 85 cm length and 
a maximum diameter of 47 cm. The magnificence of the blossoms of 
Nuytsia floribunda especially after forest fires in the leafless state can 
possibly be explained by the great nutritive reservoir of the underground 
turnip-root. 

Verifications of these isolated observations are essential. 
REFERENCES 

Diels, L. 1906. Die Pflanzenwelt von Westaustralien sudlich des Wende- 
kreises. Leipzig. 

Erickson, R. ct al. 1973. Flowers and plants of Western Australia. A. H. & 
A. W. Reed, Sydney. 

Ewart, A. J. 1930. Flora of Victoria, Melbourne. 

Herbert, D. A. 1918. Nuytsia floribunda (the Christmas Tree) — its Struc¬ 
ture and Parasitism. Proc. Royal Society of W. Australia , 5: 72-88. 
Kuijt, J. 1969. The Biology of Parasitic Flowering Plants. University of 
California Press, Berkeley. 

Main, A. 1947. Artificial Propagation of Nuytsia floribunda. W. A list. 
Nat., 1: 25-31. 


59 







McKee, H. S. 1952. Root parasites in Loranthaceae. Nature, 170: 40. 
Morcombe, M. K. 1969. Australia's Western Wild flowers. Landfall Press, 
Perth. 

Narayana, R. 1958. Morphological and Embryological Studies in the Family 
Loranthaceae — III. Nuytsia floribunda. Phytomorphology , pp. 
300-323. 

Narayana, R. 1955. Floral Morphology and Embryology of Nuytsia flori¬ 
bunda. R.Br. Proc. 42nd Indian Sci. Congr. (Baroda), pp. 239-240. 
Seddon, G. 1972. Sense of Place. University of Western Australia Press, 
Nedlands. 


AN OBSERVATION OF THE PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA IN 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 

By G. M. STORR and R. E. JOHNSTONE, 

Western Australian Museum, Perth 

Early this year Mr. Joseph A. Smith sought our help in identifying 
a strange bird he saw on 22 December, 1974 at the north-western iron¬ 
mining town of Paraburdoo (23°12’S, 117°40’E). 

Mr. Smith wrote, “Here’s a mystery for you to solve, nothing like 
it in Cayley’s or Slater’s books. Seen feeding in water’s edge at sewage 
pond. Legs long (about 9 or 10 inches) and toes (front) seemed quite 
long. The black band across its chest 2 inches wide at base and narrow¬ 
ing as it reaches eye. With the brown-coloured stripe on each side of 
its head down to the shoulder and the white central strip [of crownl 
and bib and belly it is quite an attractive bird. Height of bird seen next 
to a Black-tailed Water Hen about 3 inches shorter. When I saw it fly, 



Copy of field sketch by Mr. J. A. Smith of the Pheasant-tailed Jacana. 


60 










the depth of wings was rather great and the flight similar to that of the 
Lapwing and other plovers. Bill about one inch long. I have no record 
of tail length, so assume that it was short. The bird was gone next day.” 

A rough sketch of the feeding bird, as seen from behind, shows the 
wing tips crossing each other and extending beyond the tail. A sketch 
of the bird in profile is reproduced here. In a subsequent letter, Mr 
Smith told us that the bird was wading in the water (which explains his 
failure to record details of the feet). 

It was soon evident to us that this was no resident Australian bird 
or regular visitor. We therefore searched the literature for descriptions 
of moderately large Asian aquatic birds. Only one species fitted Mr. 
Smith’s sketches and description, namely the non-breeding form of the 
Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Hydrophasianus chirurgus, which ranges from 
Pakistan east through southern China and Malaya to Formosa, the 
Philippines and Java. 

We sent a photocopy of Mr. Smith’s letter and sketches to Mr. John 
Darnell of Goldsworthy for his opinion on the bird. Mr. Darnell, an 
expert on south-east Asian birds, immediately recognised the bird and 
telephoned us to confirm our identification. 

Meanwhile we had sent similar photocopies to the British Museum 
(Natural History) for checking directly against specimens of Hydropha¬ 
sianus. On 31 January 1975, Mr. Peter Colston replied, “I have looked 
at the skins in the collection and it fits and compares very well with a 
female collected by H. Whistler in February 1936 from the Chanda Dist., 
Central Prov., India .... I have also looked through the waders, i.e. 
lapwings etc. and Wilson’s Phalarope, but none agree.” 

Great numbers of birds from northern Asia visit Western Australia 
every summer. Visitors from subtropical and tropical Asia, however, are 
a very rare category, which hitherto included only the Malay Banded 
Crake (Rallina fasciaia) and the Blue-winged Pitta (Pitta moluccensis). 
To these we can now add the Pheasant-tailed Jacana. 

According to Hugh Whistler (Popular Handbook of Indian Birds) 
the Pheasant-tailed Jacana is similar to other members of the Jacanidae 
in favouring waters with floating vegetation, but it is “more ready to 
frequent open water, and more accustomed to wander to flood water, 
streams, and similar spots free of weeds.” It is therefore not so sur¬ 
prising to find this species in a region that is completely lacking in habi¬ 
tat suitable for its relative, the Australian Lotus-bird. 

When breeding the Pheasant-tailed Jacana is a very beautiful bird. 
It then acquires tail plumes half a metre long, and the body becomes 
glossy chocolate brown. 


FROM FIELD AND STUDY 


The Black Tern near Perth.—The Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) does 
not appear to be unquestionably admitted as a member of the Australian 
avifauna (cf. Serventy etai, The Handbook of Australian Sea-Birds, 1971: 
206). However I am satisfied I observed an individual resting on a partly 
submerged post in Lake Joondalup on December 31, 1973. 

The bird was in winter plumage and had the following characteristics: 
A small marsh tern having the forehead, neck and underpays white with 
a greyish patch on the side of the breast in front of the wing. The bill 
was black and the legs red. The back and wings were slate grey. The 
flight was typically buoyant in character. The bird allowed a very close 
approach but once disturbed it flew off and was not observed to feed. 

The species is readily distinguished in its winter plumage from all 
sea terns by its distinctive “bat-like” flight and greyish black upper parts. 
The only species with which it could be readily confused is the White- 


61 


winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus). The latter has no dark patch 
on the side of the breast, a paler rump and tail and brighter reddish legs. 

I am well acquainted with this species in winter plumage. I have 
frequently observed it as an autumn migrant in England—visiting estuaries, 
brackish and fresh-water lagoons and marshes, especially on the east coast 
—during its movement southward from its breeding haunts in Northern 
Europe, e.g. Denmark, Germany, Holland, etc., to its winter quarters in 
Africa. This little marsh tern was an extremely common winter visitor to 
Lagos, Nigeria, where I spent two years. 

—SYDNEY JACOBS, Nedlands. 


Cockatiel in the Wheatbelt.—As a contribution to information on 
the recent spread, or invasion, of the Cockatiel (Nyniphicus hollandicus) 
I offer the following observations. On August 31, 1974 on Mr Roger Forte’s 
farm at Latham I observed 7 birds. In about 30 years of observing the 
birds in the area Mr Forte had never seen this species before. At Merredin 
1 observed 10 birds on February 6 and 40 birds on February 22, 1975. Mr 
Paddy Crook, a farmer who is keenly interested in the local wildlife, hav¬ 
ing lived most of his life in the district (about 40 years) had never seen the 
Cockatiel previously until this month (February, 1975). 

—GREG LINSTEAD, Merredin. 


A Recent Breeding Record of Charadrius melanops in the Metropo¬ 
litan Area.—During an excursion to Lake Herdsman on December L 
1974, two adult Black-fronted Dotterels, Charadrius melanops, were ob¬ 
served. I followed them into the corner of a mudflat. One bird was 
always running away from me, then squatting down, spreading the tail 
and lowering both wings. The matter became more interesting now and 
I tried to spot a nest or fledglings. Soon after, only 1 metre away from 
me, I discovered the young dotterels. Being precocial, the legs were the 
most conspicuous feature of the half-thumb sized birds. The tarsus 
measured 26 mm, while the centre toes were 13 mm. Measurements of 
the beak and wing were 9 mm and 14 mm respectively. 

—OTTO MUELLER, Wembley. 


A Further Record of Little Egret, Egretta garzetta, in the South West. 
—On November 27, 1973, at Benger Swamp, I observed a slender egret 
with black bill, black legs and two plumes extending back horizontally 
from the nape. This I supposed must be a Little Egret although it did 
not appear to be obviously smaller than the White Egrets, Egretta alba 
which were frequent though none was close enough to serve as a ‘yard¬ 
stick*. 

I returned to Benger Swamp on December 4, 1973 and spent some 
time examining egrets which appeared ‘under-sized’ without conclusive 
results until I located a typical Little Egret in breeding plumage standing 
in a group of resting White-faced Herons, Ardea novaehollandiae. This 
bird I viewed in a good light with X 8 binoculars and X 20 telescope 
at distances down to c. 60 m. Bill, legs and, I think, feet, were black. The 
bird appeared somewhat smaller than the herons, both resting and in 
flight. Its rate of wing beat was similar to that of the herons from which 
it separated when flushed. 

It is just possible that there may have been more than one Little 
Egret present. It seemed to me that the nape plumes of the second bird 
identified were longer and more tapering than those of the first, and it is 
by no means certain that all my apparently ‘undersized’ egrets were one 
and the same. 

—ERIC H. SEDGWICK, Harvey. 


62 



Co-operative Nesting Behaviour in Little Wood-Swallow.—On 3 Feb¬ 
ruary 1974 I found the nest of a Little Wood-Swallow, Artamus minor, 
in a breakaway on Mileura Station, 93 miles north-west of Cue. The 
nest contained two downy chicks with eyes still closed. I returned on 16 


UPPER: Adult Little Wood-Swallow at nest. LOWER: Juvenile Little 
Wood-Swallow at same nest after feeding nestlings. 


63 


February and photographed the nest, during which time I noticed that 
besides the two adults who fed the young many times, a third bird 
in juvenile plumage fed the nestlings four times over a period of two 
hours. I believe this to be the first record of co-operative nesting be¬ 
haviour in the Little Wood-Swallow. 

—JOHN ESTBERGS, Helena Valley. 


Graphium Butterflies at Koolau Island.—The butterflies of Koolan 
Island were recorded by Koch and van Ingen (1957, W. Aust. Nat., 11: 98). 
A species of papilionid to add to this list is Graphium eurypylus nyctimus 
(Waterhouse and Lyell, 1914). Two specimens were collected by Mr. F. 
C. van Ingen at Koolan Island, W.A., one on 28 December 1973, the 
other on 4 January 1974. They are lodged in the Western Australian 
Museum (W.A.M. Reg. Nos. 74/1082-3). 

The distribution of Graphium eurypylus, which has some thirteen 
subspecies, includes India, southern China, southern Japan, south-east Asia, 
New Guinea and northern and eastern Australia. G. e. nyctimus was pre¬ 
viously known from Darwin and Groote Eylandt. The only other sub¬ 
species in Australia is G. e. lycaon which occurs from Cape York to Sydney. 

—L. E. KOCH, Western Australian Museum. 


Incursion of Painted Finches into the North-Eastern Goldfields.— 

1973 was a drought breaking year in the north-eastern goldfields and 
North-eastern Division, with some localities recording double their aver¬ 
age rainfall. A trip across the centre, through the Warburton Ranges to 
Alice Springs in August-September, was through a carpet of vegetation the 
whole way. 

The Painted Finch (Zonaeginthus pictus) was noticed at various 
localities in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, from Gahnda 
Rock Hole (Yowalga I: 250,000 map) eastwards, making me familiar with 
a bird I had not seen before. Thus it was with great interest 1 observed 
this bird on three occasions soon after returning to Leonora, and once 
early in 1974. 

Locations and dates of observations are listed below and are occasions 
where positive identification, by observation through 7x50 binoculars, was 
made. Maps referred to are Department of National Mapping 1:250,000 
series. 


Date 

Map 

Grid Reference 

Number 

18 September, 1973 

Menzies 

429365 

2 birds 

9 October, 1973 

Leonora 

371412 

4 birds 

9 October, 1973 

Menzies 

354403 

2 birds 

4 February, 1974 

Leonora 

435417 

15 birds 

Thus this irruption 

south and west 

of the bird’s usual 

range has led 


to sightings 37 and 50 miles west of Leonora, at Gwalia (21 miles south 
of Leonora) and 29 miles ENE of Menzies. No doubt this movement was 
facilitated by abundant surface water and feed throughout the whole area. 

—DON REID, Gwalia. 


An Observation of the White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) in Western 
Australia.—About May 1971 Messrs. I. Cooke and W. A. Gibb, then of 
the Waterfowl Research unit of the Department of Fisheries and Fauna, 
Perth, sought my help in identifying a strange black-and-white passerine 
bird that they had recently seen in the Katanning district (250 km SE of 
Perth). 

The bird was a little smaller than a White-winged Triller (Lalage 
sueurii) and looked like a miniature Magpielark (Grallina cyanoleuca). It 
was found in Douglas’s Swamp, 15 km WNW of Woodanilling. While 
Cooke and Gibb were describing the bird I made an ‘identikit’ drawing 
of it. The forehead, face, throat, lower breast and abdomen were white; 


64 


the back of the head and upper breast were black; the wings were black 
marked with white; and the tail was black except for an outer strip of 
white extending to the tip. 

In our discussion on the identity of the bird, all black-and-white 
Australian species were considered but finally rejected. Though the identi¬ 
fication of the bird seemed insoluble, I retained the ‘identikit’ drawing. 

About two years later, when consulting Smythies’ Birds of Borneo, 
the figure of the White Wagtail on plate XXVIa instantly reminded me 
of the Woodanilling bird. 1 compared this figure with my drawing and 
found the two practically identical. I now have no doubt that the bird 
seen by Cooke and Gibb belonged to one or another of the east Asian 
subspecies of Motacilla alba. All the latter arc migratory, most birds 
spending the northern winter in northeastern India and southern China, 
a few individuals extending to the Indo-Chinese countries and the Philip¬ 
pines but seldom further south. 

—G. M. STORR, Western Australian Museum, Perth. 


Additions to the Kalbarri Bird List.—Following the Royal Australas¬ 
ian Ornithologists’ Union Camp of 1948 at the mouth of the Murchison 
River, a list of birds known to occur there was published in Emu, 48: 212. 
Further species—Golden Plover, White-headed Stilt, Little Corella and 
Variegated Wren—were recorded by K. Buller, W. A list. Nat., 2: 82 and a 
reference to Budgerygahs appears in IV. A list. Nat., 3:37. 

I was at Kalbarri from June 18 to 21, 1974 and noted the following 
species additional to those listed in the sources mentioned above: 

Crested Pigeon, Ocyphaps lophotes. A flock of at least three birds 
was flushed between Murchison House Station and the access road to 
Kalbarri. 

Bustard, Eupodotis australis. This was reported to the R.A.O.U. party 
by residents, but not sighted. I encountered one bird between the gorge 
at Z Bend and the access road to Kalbarri. 

Redthroat, Pyrrholaemus brunneus . One bird was encountered at The 
Loop. This was perched on a small tree and was singing vigorously. It 
permitted a close approach and was viewed through binoculars in a good 
light. In the same area a Black-eared Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx osculans was 
calling. This species favours the Redthroat as a host. 

Little Wood-Swallow, Artamus minor. This bird was not seen by the 
R.A.O.U. party, but is mentioned in Birds of Western Australia, Serventy 
and Whittcll, as occurring in the Murchison gorges. We saw several in 
flight at The Loop and encountered several resting on the road to Hawks- 
head Lookout. One was slow in taking evasive action and was nearly 
struck by the windscreen of our vehicle. In the Northern Territory, I 
found Little Wood-Swallows given to sitting on roads, but had not pre¬ 
viously seen this practice in Western Australia. 

—ERIC. H. SEDGWICK, Harvey. 


Birds and (he Total Eclipse—Observations from Albany.—Birds are 
not numerous on Mt. Clarence at Albany even though most of it is 
covered with quite thick scrub. Before the eclipse began, on June 20, 1974, 
and during the early stages of it there was no bird song to be heard as 
is quite usual during the middle of the day. As the light from the sun 
grew less the slight wind became colder and four or five Yellow-winged 
Honeyeaters (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) called briefly, answering each 
other, then were silent for a few minutes and a couple called again. Then 
a family group of Splendid Wrens (Malurus splendens) gave a brief twitter 
just below' the brow of the mountain and Kookaburras (Dacelo gigas) were 
heard giving evensong in the distance. 

There was no further song during the total eclipse and bird life 
seemed to resume its normal tenor as the light improved again without 


65 


any fuss, other than two Magpies (Gymnorhina dorsalis) heard giving a 
brief morning carol. 

However, the Silver Gulls (Lants novaehollandiae) f which are very 
numerous and tame in Albany, seem to have had some very unpleasant 
shocks. They were roosting on roofs and various vantage points not very 
far from the Senior Primary School in the main street when the light 
began to go and the air became colder. The leaders apparently decided it 
was lime for roosting and after a great commotion led the flocks down 

towards the harbour. This decision took some time and darkness caught 

the two or three flocks some hundreds of metres from the shore line. 
They all settled on the grass—most on the Parade Street Soccer Ground— 
and remained there quite silently. When the light increased again the 
flocks took off and circled the centre of the town about fifty metres in the 
air for some time. Finally tiring of this the birds settled on buildings 
again but not on their accustomed perches or buildings. They favoured 
high ridge caps and had an unmistakeable air of discomposure for the 
remainder of the day. One must be sympathetic with the seagulls for not 

only were they unable to reach their sleeping areas before darkness but 

were not allowed to go to sleep and to cap it all, their usual lunch hour 
feed of crusts and scraps of food on the school playground did not even¬ 
tuate. The children all ate lunch in school and naturally crusts went into 
dustbins. 

H. O. WEBSTER, Albany. 


Departure Date of the Bridled Tern in Shark Bay.—Serventy et al. 
(The Handbook of Australian Sea-Birds, 1971, p. 228), give the departure 
date of the migratory Bridled Tern (Sterna anaethetus) as late February in 
the Perth area and April at Green Islets and the Abrolhos Islands. By a 
mere fluke I was able to determine the exact day and almost the hour 
when they left Slope Island, Shark Bay this year (1974). 

On Sunday, February 24 my wife and I w'ere on the island fishing 
most of the morning and noticed the terns seemed more agitated than usual, 
flying to and fro and settling on the rocks for only a few seconds at a 
time, and calling to each other incessantly. Only a small number seemed 
to be present so we guessed they were preparing to leave. We left the 
island at 11.45 a.m. and returned at 2 p.m., intending to take some 
photographs of the birds with a new 250 mm. lens I had just bought. 
However, not one bird was in sight and although we drove out there 
daily for the next week not a tern did we find. 

—ROBERT C. MITCHELL, Hastings, N.Z. 


Discovery of the Western Whiphird at Hopetoun.—The known dis¬ 
tribution of the Western Whipbird, Psophodcs nigrogularis, in Western 
Australia has been documented by Serventy and Whittcll (Birds of Western 
Australia, 1967). It has been found at Two Peoples Bay and in mallee 
country around Borden and Gnowangerup and its most easterly location 
was hitherto 120 kilometres east of Borden near the Fitzgerald River. 

On November 6, 1974 whilst visiting Hopetoun with members of the 
Royal Australasian Ornithologists’ Union engaged in compiling a list of 
birds in the Fitzgerald National Park I heard a Western Whipbird calling 
near the coast road 3 km east of the town, and on November 9, two 
birds were observed and the identification confirmed. Subsequently a 
third bird was heard calling on the road to Ravensthorpc, 32 km from 
Hopetoun, by Mrs. J. Seabrook and Mrs. J. Clark. The known range is 
thus extended eastwards by 80 km. 

The habitat was dense thickets of Round-leaved Moort, Eucalyptus 
platypus, and in the area close to Hopetoun this was supplemented by low 
coastal heath. All areas where the birds were found were composed of 
dense mallee regrowth resulting from fire. 

An examination of tape recordings of the songs of these birds and 


66 


those of Two Peoples Bay, and comparison with recordings from South 
Australia shows that there is little regional variation. Such consistency 
over a distance of some 1,240 km suggests the existence of further colonies 
of these birds around the little known coastline of the Great Australian 
Bight. 

—F. N. ROBINSON, Helena Valley. 


A Third Nesting Station of the Pelican in Peel Inlet.—Pelicans 
(Pelecanus conspicillatus) have in recent years established two nesting sta¬ 
tions in Peel Inlet, south of Mandurah—on Creery I. and Nirimba Cay 
(W. Aust. Nat., 9 (4), 1964: 80-84). Prior to about 1962 the southernmost 
nesting colony known in Western Australia was Pelican I. in Shark Bay. 
Now a third nesting station has been discovered in Peel Inlet, on a sand 
island created as a result of spoil from dredging the Yundurup Canals 
Scheme. T he island came into existence in 1972, and is one mile from the 
eastern shore of Peel Inlet just south of the Murray River delta at 
Yundurup. It is known locally as Sand I., White I., or as Joan Watters I. 

Naturalists first became aware of the colony on July 7, 1974. Several 
of us, including Julian Ford. Ron Templeton, Tony Bush and myself, took 
Professor Charles Sibley, of the Peabody Museum of Natural History, 
Yale University, on an excursion to Peel Inlet. Noting with the field-glasses 
an unusually dense concentration of Pelicans on the island we decided to 
make a closer inspection. To our surprise we found the birds were nesting. 
There were two groups of nests on the eastern slope of the islet. The 
more southerly group, evidently a slightly earlier laying, contained 47 nests 
—one egg in 3 nests; 2 eggs in 41 nests; and 3 eggs in 3 nests. The second 
group, close by, comprised 41 nests—one egg in 25 nests; 2 eggs in 15 
nests, and 3 eggs in one nest. In addition there were 83 eggs scattered above 
the tide line, not in nests. All were fresh and cold. The Pelicans waddled 
off their nests as we landed, at 1.15 p.m., but immediately returned to the 
nests when we embarked in our dinghy at 1.20 p.m. 

We were unable to visit the island again until September 8. In the in¬ 
terim, as we were informed by Mrs J. L. Wright and Mr C. G. Dunnet, of 
Culeenup I., Yundurup, that later in July there had been gales and flood¬ 
ings, during which part of the sand island had been inundated and the 
eggs washed away. 

On September 8 I visited the island, with Dr Wilhelm Meise, of 
Hamburg. The Pelicans had laid again higher up the crest of the islet. 
We counted 65 adults but did not make too close an approach as we did 
not wish to disturb the birds unduly. The incubating birds were all on 
eggs and no chicks were visible. On September 15 I visited the island with 
Professor J. A. Keast. There were 33 nests—7 nests each contained 2 
eggs; one nest had one egg and one chick; 13 nests had one chick, and 12 
nests had 2 chicks. About 36 adult birds were present, very placid and they 
scarcely moved off as we approached. Most of the chicks were very small, 
evidently hatched during the week, though one or two were obviously 
older. On October 1 we (Mr A. G. Mathews, Mrs Geraldine Gregory and 
I) inspected the island with Messrs Phil Bodeker and D. Tapper of the 
“Daily News”. Most of the young birds, now much more advanced, and 
covered with white down, crowded into a creche as we approached. About 
30 of these young were counted. There were about 30 nests recognisable. In 
one nest was an egg and chick, 6 nests each contained one chick, one nest 
had 2 chicks, one had one egg, and one had 2 eggs. The adult birds returned 
very rapidly to the nesting area as we withdrew. 

On October 12 the nesting site was visited by Brian Hutchison, A. G. 
Mathews, K. Flanagan and W. Meecham. All the chicks were in a creche 
and 41 were counted. The nests were unoccupied. Two dead chicks were 
noticed and one addled egg. The individuals in the creche moved off into 
the water as the visitors approached and were then herded back by the 
parents when the visitors left. All the chicks were downy but two or three 
were feathered, with brown backs. None could fly. Food regurgitated by 


67 


the young was entirely of shrimps (Palciemonetes australis). On the follow¬ 
ing day, October 13, the island was visited by a Naturalists Club party 
which also included Dr Frederick Hamerstrom and Dr Florence Hamer- 
strom, of Wisconsin, and Mrs M. B. Mills. 

On October 31 Mr Max Bailey and I encircled the islet and made a 
census from the boat. The actual nesting site was not occupied but the 
young (29 individual young were counted) were on a sand bank just off 
the island and waddled into the sea as we approached. They were in a 
tight group and could not fly. They were downy, with feathers, and had 
pale bills. They were accompanied by 12 adults. Off Meeyip I., one of the 
Yundurup delta islands, 3 Pelicans were seen, one of which was evidently 
a young bird (smaller, with paler bill); perhaps it was an advanced young 
from this or one of the other Peel Inlet colonies. On November 5 1 
counted 32 young birds swimming in a compact group in the water off 
the sand island. They could not fly. On November 17 Miss V. M. Bristowe, 
Miss Christine Maggs and I visited the island and counted 28 young birds. 
They were swimming in a dispersed group, could not fly, and only flapped 
helplessly when the boat approached, unable to take off. The other four 
young seen on November 5 may have been elsewhere, as the young we 
counted swam quite some distance from their home island. There were few 
adults in the vicinity; only 4 were close by and 2 others flew in, as we 
watched, and joined the young birds. 

^-D. L. SERVENTY, Nedlands. 


OBITUARY 
BRUCE SHIPWAY 

Bruce Shipway, Honorary Life Member of the Club, and former Pre¬ 
sident (1948-49), died suddenly in Perth on May 29, 1972. He was born 
in Sydney, N.S.W., on March 27, 1907. His father. William Charles Ship¬ 
way, a solicitor, was prominent in Sydney and Lord Howe Island affairs, 
and his mother was a member of the Hordern family. A brother, Phillip, 



Bruce Shipway, 1966. 


68 


of the Sydney legal firm of Shipway and Berne, was for long treasurer of 
the Rdy a * Zoological Society of N.S.W. and its president in 1936 

jvfr Sh'pway senior was a member of the N.S.W. contingent in the 
Sudan War of <885 and after completing his legal course on'his return 
founded 'he legal firm of Shipway and Berne in 1890. He was M I A 
for Paddington, chairman of directors of the Kentia Palm Seed and Plant 
Co-op 5 . ra "ve Company Ltd. (a Lord Howe Island enterprise) a Taronga 
Park Trustee and Deputy Grand Master of N.S.W. Freemasons. He died 
in 19Z 3 * 

After education at the North Sydney Church of England 
School (Shore”) Bruce had the chance of entering the family law firm 
but a desk job had no appeal. He was a high-spirited youth and for a 
few *® d an adventurous life in Sydney. Competitive motor cycling 

was his first sport and he provided patrons at the Penrith Speedwav with 
some spectacular displays. The Daily Guardian Pictorial in its issue of 
October 6 - 19-6, featured a photograph of Bruce riding his Chatcr Lea in 
what 'he P a Pei described as "one of the most remarkable performances 
ever witnessed on a race track at the final of the five miles consolation 
race. W" 1 ' ono a P Io 80 he had his back tyre wrenched off on a corner 
He d'd not fall but kept going and was just beaten for second place 
within -0 yards of the finish He then became interested in flying and in 
,928 'rained with he Australian Aero Club. He won the silver cun ore 
sented by Sir Charles Wakefield, the Angels Kiss Cup at Mascot and fig- 

r red 'hi Aumfst S |929' m n penri?h de h nt r'? ich captured the newspaper head- 
lines. In A «8V sl 4 2 l r ^ Lnnt ^ he did a parachute jump from the wine 
of a plane flying at 3,400ft. The rip cord failed to open aher the scheduled 
interval-two seconds-and he struggled with the mechanism with his 
hands and opened the parachute after 14 seconds, falling some 1 500ft 
bc f °re the parachute functioned. On another occasion due to engine fail 
m-e he crashed into ihe Snowy River in mid-winter. He told his^brother 
Phillip, 'hat it was either the river or a mountain side! He intended to t ike 
up commercial flying but a slight colour blindness prevented it A n of 
'"ter activities was h.s fascination by the aquarium at Taronga Park Zoo 
(opened '"1927) whose construction he watched. But he seems to have 
been conditioned even earlier. He once mentioned that th?re was an 
aquanum in the room at home where he was born 

Before World War II in 1930-32, he and another brother, Ron en¬ 
gaged in motor transpoit of stock in the North-West of Western Australia 
One run was from Roy Hill to Meekatharra along the ‘Madman’V^Track”’ 
During this period he noted natural history phenomena which he made 
use of in later papers (cf. W. Ai/st. Nut., 1. 1947: 47). 

technology and in Penh j..iiio!]^) l c , NUt7y l of l 'lio‘‘-Tr3n"h''L;')' r ' l ) [n "L 

JSfSSffJlXSZr^S?. *** b °"’ in h ”“-r **** 

When World War II broke out he joined the A.l.F. and became a 
sergeant in the survey corps. It was then that he became heavily involved 
"1 ^hat was to become his life-time interest in natural history—the studv 
of freshwater fishes. He first came to the notice of othe natu alisis by 
h,s re-discovery of Leichhardt’s Sawfish. In June 1845 the explorer Ludwig 
Leichhardt was shown a strange fish, dead, at the edge of a P waterhole in 
the Lynd River ,n northern Queensland and “I was greatly surprised Jo 

o nd hi” S u W r' Sh (t , nst . ls) ' vvhlch 1 'bought lived exclusively ^n salt water" 
(Le'chhardt, Journal of an Overland Expedition in Australia, 1847 p ”>88) 
Ihe cxploicr speculated Oil the significance of the find. Later travellers 
il S ° ^ported sawf'shes in the north but no specimens had b°cn studied 
by ichthyologists until Bruce Shipway in October 1944 was ab'c to examine 
a specimen from the same river as Leichhardt’s, the Lynd He gave t 
photograph and description to Gilbert Whitley, the ichthyologist at the 
Australian Musucm, Sydney, who in the Australian Zoologist II (1) 1945- 
43-45. reported this re discovery of "Leichhardt’s Sawfish", as he termed it' 
and gave the fish a new name and formal description— Pristiophorus leicli- 


69 


hardti, though some modern workers doubt whether it should be regarded 
as a separate species. Shipway also saw the fish in the Walsh, Mitchell and 
Palmer Rivers, and Whitley surmised that it was “obviously a permanent 
resident of the rivers and not a fortuitous visitor/’ Besides the sawfish dis¬ 
covery he accumulated material for publication himself, including a series 
of illustrated papers on the fishes of the Barron River. 

On transfer to Western Australia he was engaged in Army surveys 
north of Perth, and when peace returned he continued in survey work, 
this time in the Avon valley on the standard gauge railway project. He 
resumed association with the W.A. Naturalists’ Club which began on his 
earlier stay in W.A., and henceforth was always linked with its activities. 
These were mostly concerned with freshwater fishes and other aquatic 
fauna. He was expert in making and equipping aquariums, and was out¬ 
standing in the study of life histories from aquarium observations. His 
exhibits at the Wild Life Shows in the Perth Town Hall, from 1946 on¬ 
wards, attracted wide public interest. An early lecture to the Club preceded 
by many years general concern at stream pollution. At the general meeting 
in the W.A. Museum in February 1946 he screened a movie film he had 
made himself of Queensland scenery and wildlife which included a scene 
showing how a brook teeming with fish and plant growth could be des¬ 
troyed by a mere trickle of effluent from a nearby camp. 

When the CSIRO Division of Fisheries began its sea-going fisheries 
investigations in this State, with the F.R.V. Warreen (Captain C. E. Ped¬ 
ersen) Bruce applied for and was appointed to the post of Technical Officer 
in December 1946 and he and the writer were together for over three 
years whilst he remained in the service. He made cruises all around the 
coast, to Timor, across the Great Australian Bight and to Tasmania. He 
also participated in land and coastal surveys and mapped the interesting 
shoreline feature, the 12-mile beach east of Hopetoun which at the time 
supported a rich fishery on Australian Salmon. In 1948 he participated in 
the R.A.O.U. camp-out at the Murchison River, discovering and describing 
a new species of the fish genus Eleotris, which Gilbert Whitley later placed 
in a new genus named after him, Shipwayia. 

In January 1950 he resigned to become Curator of the trout hatcher¬ 
ies at Pemberton for the Pembcrton-Warren Trout Acclimatisation Society. 
Here, though he was mainly concerned with trout management, as a side¬ 
line, at the suggestion of Mr. A. J. Fraser, Director of Fisheries, he inves¬ 
tigated the life history of Marron and the ecology of local streams. He 
prepared a useful pamphlet on pond fish farming, which, however, was 
never published. He became impressed with the lack of nutrients in the 
fresh waten. and the consequent sparsity of their animal life. He hurt the 
pride of his employers, who held a pardonably exaggerated view of the 
productivity of their waters, by paraphrasing Winston Churchill: “Never 
have I seen so much water with so little in it.” 

As may be imagined Bruce did not stay long in this post. His inability 
to suffer fools gladly, and the independence of mind ingrained in him by his 
early upbringing, meant he often changed jobs. He could not bring himself 
to be agreeable to anyone for whom he had no respect, even if they were 
important personages on whom most people fawned. After he left Pember¬ 
ton in 1952 he decided he had had enough of being in service to others. 
He achieved independence by acquiring an engineering company, the 
Burrows Engineering Company, which he re-named the Jay Bee Engineer¬ 
ing Company, making it a vigorous and successful enterprise. In 1970 it 
was re-named the Acme Engineering Company. 

Freshwater biology continued, however, to be his private hobby. He 
was a foundation member of the Aquarium Society of Western Australia 
in September 1953 and was its president for several years. He held high 
hopes, after his retirement from business, of continuing research on local 
fishes on the lines of his paper on the Pigmy Perch (W. A list. Nat., 2, 1949): 

1), beginning with the Nightfish, Bostockia porosa. Unfortunately a serious 
hip injury, caused by a fall on the floor of his factory in August. 1962, 
incapacitated him and this led indirectly to his premature death following 


70 



The Nightfish, Bostockia porosa. An adult specimen drawn by Bruce 
Shipway. Mature specimens range in total length from 90 to 120 mm. 
The specimen drawn was 110 mm. 


71 



a heart attack and two strokes. 

The work on Bostockia was not completed. We publish herewith a 
drawing he had made of the species in connection with the project. He 
had considerable facility for drawing fishes and some of his later papers 
were excellently illustrated. A set of his fish drawings is preserved in 
the club's archives. 

In July 1949 he married a fellow Club member, a widow, Mrs. Irene 
Metcalfe (born Monck), with kindred interests in freshwater natural his¬ 
tory, who was associated with him both in his hobbies and business 
career. In the engineering company she specialised in the administration 
side whilst Bruce was concerned mainly with the technology. Mrs. Ship¬ 
way was a foundation council member of the Aquarium Society and was 
his companion on field trips and associate in aquarium work at home. 

Bruce Shipway impressed all his naturalist friends by his zest for life, 
his enthusiasm for wildlife and particularly freshwater fishes. He was 
generous to fellow workers and kind and encouraging to all younger 
naturalists. Personally he was a most kind and considerate man. This was 
exemplified to an extraordinary degree by the devoted care he bestowed 
on his bed-ridden mother, an arthritis invalid of many years. She came 
to live with him in South Perth and he looked after her until she died in 
June, 1949. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

The following is a list of Bruce Shipway’s natural history articles: 

1947. Fresh Water Fishes of the Barron River North Queensland Natur¬ 
alist, 14 (83): 25-27, 4 figs. 

— Fresh Water Fishes of the Barron River (continued). N. Qld. Nat., 
15 (84): 5-7, 5 figs. 

— Fresh Water Fishes from the Barron River. N. Qld. Nat., 15 (85): 
9-13, 7 figs. 

— Observations on density of the Western Grey Kangaroo ( Macropus 
ocydromus). W. Aust. Nat., 1 (1), June: 18-19. 

— Rains of Fishes? W. Aust. Nat., 1 (2), September: 47-48. 

1948. Fresh Water Fishes of the Barron River (concluded). N. Qld. Nat., 
15 (86): 20-21, 1 fig. and correction slip. 

— Extension of the Australian breeding range of Pterodroma macrop- 
tera. Emu. 47 (5), May: 349-352. [with J. M. Thomson). 

— Reports of Excursions—Lake Leschenaultia. W. Aust. Nat., 1 (5), 
June: 107-108. 

— Bibra Lake plankton. W. Aust. Nat., I (5), June: III. 

1949. Notes on the natural history of the Pigmy Perch (Nannoperca 
vittata). W. Aust. Nat., 2 (1), June: 1-9, figs. 1-5. 

1950. A sea-going crow. W. Aust. Nat., 2 (3), January: 71. 

— Recording flora and fauna. West Australian, February 4 [suggesting 
that naturalists be attached to the field parties of the Australian 
Survey Corps of the Department of the Army to aid in the documen¬ 
tation of the fauna and flora in outback areas difficult of normal 
access). 

— Notes on the aquatic natural history of the lower Murchison River. 
W. Aust. Nat., 2 (4), May: 73-77, figs. 1-2. 

1951. The natural history of the Marron and other fresh water crayfishes 
of South-Western Australia. Part I. W. Aust. Nat., 3 (I), July: 7-12. 

— The natural history of the Marron and other fresh water crayfishes 
of South-Western Australia. Part 2. W. Aust. Nat., 3 (2), September: 
27-34, 2 figs. 

1953. Additional records of fishes occurring in the fresh waters of Western 
Australia. W. Aust. Nat., 3 (8), May: 173-177, 2 figs. 

1959. Gambusia: a wager. West Australian, May 11. [Acclimatization in 
the Mandurah-Yundurup area). 

1964. Occurrence of freshwater jellyfish at South Perth. W. Aust. Nat., 

9 (4), May: 95-96. 

—D.L.S. 


72 


THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN 

NATURAL' 



Vol. 13 


November 30, 1975 


No. 4 


THE CITRINE SPIDER: A NEW GENUS OF TRAPDOOR SPIDER 
(MYGALOMORPHAE: DIPLURIDAE) 

By BARBARA YORK MAIN, Zoology Department, University of 
Western Australia 

The Citrine Spider is common and widespread throughout the Wheat- 
belt* Although known to naturalists for many years and in spite of its 
attractive and conspicuous colouring it has never been described or scien¬ 
tifically named. The spider occurs in sandy, granite soils throughout the 
range of the jam and Yorkgum woodlands but is more precisely associated 
with thickets of teatrec (Melaleuca nncinata). The burrows are frequently 
found in the meadows around granite outcrops, both in the small meadows 



Plate 1 . — Teyl Incident ns, female Plate 2 .—Toy l Incident us, male para- 
paratype (BYM 56/507). Approxi- type (BYM 56/495). Approximately 
mately life size. life size. 

of the rock slopes and the apron at the base of rocks. Burrows are not 
closed by a door but are open like a wolf spider’s except during the summer 
when the entrance is sealed with a soil plug. The burrow descends vertically 
and turns abruptly at the base. Mature nests may be about 25 cm deep. 
Nests generally have no silk lining and maintain their shape by virtue 
of the angularity of the sand grains in which they are excavated. 

Like all trapdoor spiders, the Citrine Spider takes several years to 
mature. Males emerge and wander during late autumn and early winter. 
Eggs are laid in the female nest during spring and the young disperse the 
following autumn after the first seasonal rains. 

The author first found the spider at Emu Hill (near Narcmbeen) in 
1952. Subsequently hundreds of specimens have been located and the 


73 




species appears to range over the whole of the Wheatbelt. One other 
species (to be described later when male specimens are found) has been 
collected from the granite rocks northeast of Payne’s Find. Another group 
of related species, believed to be derived from the Citrine Spider, construct 
doors to the nests. These are to be described elsewhere. For the present 
the genus and the common species are herewith named and described. 

Note on name: the generic name is derived from an Aboriginal word 
meaning a brightly coloured stone; the specific name refers to the shining 
yellowish colour. 


TEYL gen. nov. 

Colour: $, carapace, sternum and basal segments of legs and palps a 
shining (glabrous) yellow, sometimes with the thoracic region of the carapace 
darker. Metatarsi and tarsi often dark brown. Abdomen brownish, fre¬ 
quently speckled. The whole body and legs very sparsely hairy and the 
shiny yellow' integument occasionally suffused with a greenish tinge. Prom¬ 
inent spines on legs; carapace often with heavy marginal spines. Scopula 
on tarsi and metatarsi very sparse or absent. Tarsal claws bipectinate. 

Carapace broad w'ith rounded sides, caput slightly raised, fovea var¬ 
iable, procurved, straight or recurved. Eyes in compact group on a tubercle. 
Sternum very broad with small sometimes round sigilla, sub marginal. Lab¬ 
ium small and broad with anterior indentation; no spinules. Chelicerae with 
heavy teeth on inner edge (promargin) and small basal row on outer edge 
(retromargin). Sometimes a group of stout spines (pseudo-rastellum) on 
apical angle of chelicerae. Male with no spur on first tibia; scopula present 
on tarsi. 

Distinguishing features: Broad glabrous carapace with variable fovea, 
broad sternum with small, sometimes round, submarginal sigilla. Male lacks 
tibial spur. 


Teyl luculentus sp. nov. 

Holotype: 9 Locality 14.5 km north of Bruce Rock on Bruce Rock/ 
Merredin Road. 29,viii,1956. Collected by B. Y. Main (BYM 56/499). 
Deposited in Western Australian Museum. 

Colour, body and appendages bright shining yellow in life; abdomen 
with dark brown, mottled dorsal pattern. Carapace 9.0 mm long, 8.00 mm 
wide. Fovea recurved. Carapace glabrous and smooth except for stout 
marginal spines. Eye group 1.4 mm wide and 0.7 mm long, slightly raised. 
Sternum 4.6 mm long and 4.8 mm wide. Sigilla small, indistinct; posterior 
ones oval in shape, submarginal; sternum with open pile of long hairs. 
Labium broad, 0.7 mm long, anteriorly indented. Chelicerae with pseu- 
dorastellum of stout bristles. Inner margin of left cheliceral furrow with 8 
large teeth and outer margin with 7 small teeth near base; right chelicera 
with 9 teeth on inner margin, 5 on outer margin. 

4 12 3 

Legs: Leg formula:- 

2.95 2.84 2.66 2.3 

(leg length 


carapace length) 



Femur 

Patella 

Tibia 

Metatarsus 

Tarsus 

Total 

Palp 

4.5 

2.5 

3.5 

— 

3.0 

13.5 

I 

7.4 

4.0 

6.0 

5.0 

3.2 

25.6 

II 

6.7 

3.6 

5.7 

4.8 

3.2 

24.0 

III 

5.5 

3.0 

4.0 

4.7 

3.5 

20.7 

IV 

7.5 

3.5 

6.0 

6.6 

3.6 

26.6 


74 






Hairs but no scopula on legs. All segments shining, glazed almost hair¬ 
less except for femurs. Tarsi without spines. Heavy paired spines on ventral 
faces of metatarsi I & II. Spines on all faces of metatarsi and tibia, 1 or 2 
prolateral spines on patella, a few dorsal spines on femurs; ring of stout 
spines on coxae and trochanters. Palp tarsus with several ventral spines but 
lacking the basal pair characteristic of Chenistonia and related genera. 
Abdomen 12.00 mm long. Almost bare except for sparsely scattered, long 
fine hairs. 

Paratype $. Locality 13 km south of Merredin on Bruce Rock Road 
29.viii.56. Collected by B. Y. Main (BYM 56/495). Deposited in Western 
Australian Museum. 



Fig. 1 .—Teyl luculentus. A, B, E-H, Holotype female (BYM 56/499). 
A, Carapace and abdomen from above. B, Eye tubercle from side. C, D, 
Fovea of paratypes (BYM 56/497 and 56/262 respectively). E, Sternum. 
F, Right chelicera with fang removed to expose position of teeth. G, Spin¬ 
nerets. H, First right leg, ventral view, spines and hairs. I, Tarsus of right 
palp; claw enlarged. A, E, same scale. C, D, F, G, H, I, same scale. B, not 
to scale. 


75 

















Colour, body and appendages generally yellowish brown; chelicerae 
dark brown; proximal segments of legs with dark brown smudges, distal 
segments dark brown; tibia I red and patella reddish brown. Abdomen, 
dorsally grey-brown with irregular dark brown median mark; ventrally 
greyish-yellow. 

Carapace 6.5 mm long, 5.9 mm wide. Fovea procurved. Sternum broad, 
shield shaped with round, submarginal sigilla. Heavy spines on metatarsus 





Fig. 2 .—Teyl luciilentus, paratype male (BVM 56/495). A, Carapace. 
B, Sternum and labium. C, D, First right leg; C, retrolateral view; D, 
ventral. E, F, Right palp; E, retrolateral view; F, prolateral. 


76 













and tibia of first leg. Tarsi with scopula. Palp tibia with 5 long retrolateral 
spines and 6 prolateral spines; bulb round, stigma curved and finely tapered 
(see Fig. 2). 

4 2 13 

Legs: Leg formula:- 

4.66 4.00 3.61 3.5 


(leg length 


carapace length) 

Total length of legs: I, 25.74 mm; 11, 26.34; III, 23.40; IV, 30.64. 

Notes on other Paratypes: 9 9 

13 km south of Merredin on Merredin/Bruce Rock Road. 29,viii, 1956. 
Collected by B. Y. Main (BYM 56/493). Carapace length, 7.5 mm [W.A. 
Museum]. 

Locality data as above (BYM 56/497). [W.A. Museum]. 

9.5 km from Bruce Rock on Bruce Rock/Doodlakine Road. 29.viii. 
1956. Collected by B. Y. Main (BYM 56/502). Carapace length, 8.0 mm. 
Internal genitalia dissected (see Fig. 3). [W.A. Museum]. 

As above (BYM 56/505). Carapace length, 7.0 mm. Internal genitalia 
dissected. [W.A. Museum]. 

As above (BYM 56/507). Carapace length, 7.6 mm. [W.A. Museum]. 

14.5 km north of Bungulla at “Fairfields”. 16.V.1956. Collected by 
B. Y. Main (BYM 56/262). Carapace length, 4.2 mm. No pseudo-rastellum. 
Fine bristles on margin of carapace. Scopula on tarsi of palp and first leg. 
[W.A. Museum]. 



1*5 mm 

Fig. 3 .—Toyl luculentus, paratype female (BYM 56/502). Internal 
genitalia. 

Paratype $ $ 

12.8 km south of Merredin on Merredin/Bruce Rock Road. 29.viii.1956. 
Collected by B. Y. Main (BYM 56/496). Specimen collected as penultimate 
instar and reared to maturity the following autumn. Carapace length, 6.4 
mm. [Australian Museum]. 

14.5 km north of Bungulla at “Fairfields”. 15.V.1956. Collected by 
B. Y. Main (BYM 56/258). Collected as penultimate instar and reared to 
maturity following autumn. Carapace length, 4.9 mm. [W.A. Museum]. 

Variability of 9 9. Some specimens observed to be less markedly 
spinose having soft bristles instead of stout marginal spines on the carapace 
and basal segments of legs; thin scopula may be present on tarsi; colour 
varies from bright yellow to greenish. Delineation of fovea varies—straight, 
procurved or recurved. Pseudo-rastellum on chelicera present or absent. 

Variability of $ $ . Size at maturity varies. Number and stoutness of 
spines on palp tibia varies; number of spines on tibia and metatarsus of first 
legs also variable. 

Additional specimens have been collected from the following localities 
and are stored in the author’s collection, housed at the Zoology Department 
of the University of Western Australia. 


77 






Beverley; Boyagin Rock; Bruce Rock area, 13.5 km and 14.5 km N. 
on Merredin Rd., and 9.5 km on Doodlakine Rd.; ‘Fairfields’, 14.5 km N. 
Bungulla; ‘Eboracum’, N. Bungulla; Heitman’s Scrub, N. Bungulla; Bush- 
fire Rock; Canna; Coolgardie, 25 km S.; Cranbrook; Crossman; Emu Hill 
(near Narembeen); Goomalling, town reserve, and salt lakes N. of town, and 
on Bolgart Rd.; Hyden, 8.5 km E., and 22.5 km E. at King Rocks turnoff; 
Harrismith; Koorarawalyee, 3 km W.; Merredin area, golf course, 6.5 km 
N., 24 km N., 13 km S.; Mooliaman: Moravva causeway, and 27.0 km W.; 
Murchison River, at Highway crossing; Northam/Goomalling Rd.; North¬ 
ampton, 88 km N.; 343 km on Great Northern Highway; Pindabunna; 
Quindanning, 19 km W,; Quairading; Sandford Rocks (Westonia); Tuttanning 
Reserve (E. Pingelly); Wongan Hills; Wurarga, 11 km W.; Williams, 21 km 
S.; Yalgoo; York; Yorkrakinc Rock. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

Some of the specimens on which this study is based were collected 
while the author was in receipt of a University of Western Australia Re¬ 
search Grant (1952-1956 inclusive). The author is also indebted to the 
following people for specimens: M. J. Littlejohn, W. J. Lane, A. R. Main, 
H. W. Norris and W. H. Butler. The photographs were taken by A. R. Main. 


ADDITIONS TO THE FAUNA OF BARROW ISLAND, W.A. 

By W. H. BUTLER, Wanneroo 

Subsequent to the publication of my summary of the vertebrate fauna 
of Barrow Island (W. A list. Nat., 11 (7), 1970: 149-160), I visited the island 
on a number of occasions and have added new or further records to the pub¬ 
lished list. Unless otherwise acknowledged all records were made by me. 

MAMMALS 

Family DASYURIDAE 
Planigole sp. Marsupial Mouse. 

This identification was provided by Mr. M. J. Archer (Qld. Museum). 

Four specimens were taken by Mr. L. A. Smith and myself in Aug.- 
Sept. 1973 (Research Grant awarded by Wapet and the Western Australian 
Wildlife Authority). The animal is slightly smaller than Antechinus macdon- 
ne l lens is which it closely resembles. The first two specimens were taken by 
hand in limestone caves (WHB) on the western side of the island. The third 
was killed during the blasting of a termite mound, and the fourth was 
taken in a pit trap in 1.5 metre high Triodia angusta. This record makes 
eight species of marsupials on Barrow Island. Although the same collecting 
techniques had been used by me on Barrow Island for a period of 10 years, 
this is the first time that this animal was noted. It is possibly undergoing 
some form of cyclic increase in numbers and it may not be easily found 
again for a number of years. 

Family MACROPODIDAE 
Bettongia lesueur. Boodie Rat. 

In 1972 an inspection team from the Fisheries and Wildlife Department 
of W.A. confirmed its occurrence on Boodie Island, the furthest south island 
in the adjacent chain close to Barrow Island. There appears to be no 
physical difference between Boodie and Barrow specimens in the field but 
no specimens have been taken of the former group and identity is based 
on field observation and pickup skulls. 

Family DUGONGIDAE 
Dugong dug on. Dugong. 

Several individuals were observed at various times on the west coast. 
One animal found alive on Turtle Bay beach was photographed before re¬ 
turning it to the water: it had severe scars of a shark attack. It is recorded 


78 


by Ride (1970) that this animal never leaves the water but it appears that 
under stress conditions such as shark attack and falling tide a stranding 
may occur. 

Family DELPHINIDAE 

Sousa sj). probably S. plumbea. A Long-snouted Dolphin. 

One specimen of this animal was collected on Barrow Island in June 
1964 but positive identification has only just been forthcoming. (All 
Cetacea collected are in the W.A. Museum and were identified by Mr. 
J. Bannister). 

Steno bredanensis. The Rough-toothed Dolphin. 

3 beach casualties were collected in 1971. 

Stenella sp. 

The skull of a juvenile beach casualty was collected in 1974. 

Pseudorca crasside7is. False Killer. 

A group of some thirty of these animals came ashore in Bandicoot 
Bay in 1971. Despite massive efforts by workmen and machinery to return 
them to the deeper water they persisted and perished. Skulls, dentaries 
and ear bones were collected from the bodies. 

Family PHYSETERIDAE 
Pliyseter catodon. Sperm Whale. 

Ear bones and teeth were collected in 1972 from five animals beached 
near Stokes Point in 1970. 


REPTILES 

A considerable number of new reptile records have been made which 
are included in a separate paper to be published by Mr. L. A. Smith of 
the W.A. Museum. 


BIRDS 

Species new for the island are asterisked. 

*LittIe Grebe (Podiceps novciehollandiae). One dead bird on an eastern 
beach, Aug. 1974. 

♦Brown Gan net (Sida leucogaster). Four birds flying off Wapet Landing, 
30 Aug. 1973. 

Reef Heron (Egretta sacra). A pair nesting in mangroves: 3 chicks, Sept./ 
Oct. 1974. This species usually nests on rocky ledges. 

* Black Swan (Cygnus at rat its). One bird near Bandicoot Bay, 30 Jan. to 
3 Feb. 1974. 

♦Grey Teal (Anas gibberifrons). One bird on camp swimming pool—2 Aug. 
1974. 

♦Maned Goose (Chenonetta jubata). 2 birds on an ephemeral pool follow¬ 
ing cyclone 1-3 Jan. 1974. They were being harried by an Osprey. 

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). 9 pairs nesting in Aug. 1973. Oldest chicks 
almost fully feathered. A new-laid egg was seen on 31 Aug. 1973. Other 
nest contents: 2 with 1 egg, 2 with 1 chick, 3 with 2 chicks, 1 with 3 
chicks. 

Kestrel (Falco ccncltroides). Nest and 5 eggs 22 Aug. 1973; first egg 
hatched Sept. 1973. The male of this pair took a first flight Welcome 
Swallow fledgling from the ground where it landed after a 20 yard 
flight. The parent swallows made no attempt to defend or attack the 
raptor although a Singing Honeycater which was nesting about 5 metres 
away made very determined efforts to drive off the intruder. 

Bustard (Enpodotis australis). 7 birds, north end of island Oct. 1973. 


79 


Pied Oyster-catcher (Haematopus ostralegus). 4 pairs with discovered 
young, 2 chicks plus 3 single chicks, Aug.Sept. 1973. All chicks downy. 
Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola). This species is frequent around the 
island beaches. A most unusual single bird in breeding plumage was 
photographed at Bandicoot Bay Sept. 1974. 

*Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica). Several seen with large flock of Grey 
Tattlers, Aug./Sept. 1973. 2 on Donald River mouth Sept. 1974. 
*OrieiPal Dotterel (Charadrius veredus). 2 pairs on airstrip Aug./Sept. 

1973. (Specimen taken). 3 pairs on old airstrip Sept. 1974. 

Red-capped Dotterel (Charadrius ruficapillus). Nesting Aug. 1973. 2 eggs, 

3 eggs, chicks running. One nest in middle of Wapet Landing gravel 
area. 

^Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica). Frequent but not plentiful at Ban¬ 
dicoot Bay. 

*Greenshank (Tringa nebularia). Regular on mudflats, eastern side of 
island. Mostly twos and threes. 

*Grey-tailcd Tattler (Tringa brevipes). Large flocks seen Aug. 1973, Sept. 

1974. Specimen taken 1973. 

*Turnstone (Arenaria inter pres). A common beach bird. 

Silver Gull ( Lams novaehollandiae). Camp scraps and rubbish plus the 
fresh water swimming pool have increased the numbers on Barrow 
Island. 1964 records show the species was common but not in large 
numbers. 1974 records show flocks of 200 or more arc constant. A 
new breeding colony has been reported on the north end of Middle 
Island (\V. Foster, WAPET). 

Crested Tern (Sterna bergii). Fairly common. Recorded by Serventy and 
Marshall (A Natural History Reconnaissance of Barrow and Monte¬ 
bello Islands 1958, CSIRO Div. Wildlife Res., Tech. Paper No. 6, 1964) 
but omitted from my 1970 paper. 

Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia hunieralis). 2 nests on rocks at cave 
mouth, 2 eggs each. 27 Aug. 1973. Flying young in mangroves Bandi¬ 
coot Bay 11 Sept. 1974. 

*Budgerigah (Melopsittacus undulatus). 3 birds on four consecutive days. 
6-9 May 1975. These were observed following a period of constant 
offshore winds. 

* Fork-tailed Swift (A pus pad ficus). A dead bird found on a tank top at 
south end of island, Jan. 1972. 

Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena). 17 Aug. 1973, 3 juveniles in nest, 
second brood for year. Aug.-Sept. 1974, nesting: 4 eggs, 4 eggs, 4 eggs, 
3 young. 3 young flying on 13 Aug. 1973 (see note under Kestrel). 
Spinifex-bird (Eremiornis carteri). Flying young being fed, 4 Sept. 1973. 
Singing Honeyeatcr (Meliphaga virescens). Nesting Aug.-Sept. 1973: .3 
eggs, 2 eggs, 2 eggs, young just flying, fledged young. 

*Painted Finch (Zonaeginthus pictus). 2 at Biggada Creek, Nov. 1972; 4 at 
Donald River, Sept. 1974; 4 at Old Airport watcrwcll with 9 Zebra 
Finches (Taeniopygia castanotis). Dec. 1974. 

INVERTEBRATES 

The only published record of island invertebrates is the checklist of 
termite species by D. H. Perry (W. Aust. Nat., 12 (3), 1972: 52-55). 

Incidental collections (mainly arachnids, myriapods and insects) have 
since been made during various island visits and the resulting material has 
been passed to the W.A. Museum for identification and study. Lists will 
be published in due course. 

In the meantime mention will only be made of a few molluscs, two 
land snails, Rbagada convicta (Cox) and Themapura sp. Two marine gas¬ 
tropods, Tutufa buba and T. rubeta, are the first records of the species from 
Western Australia. Fragum bannoi Otuka, a fossil Pleistocene cardiid bi¬ 
valve, was also collected. 


80 


BREEDING SYSTEMS OF THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN FLORA, 
I. TRIGLOCHIN L. (JUNCAGINACEAE) 

By G. J. KEIGHERY, Kings Park Sc Botanic Garden, West Perth 

SUMMARY 

Seventeen populations, comprising 10 taxa, of the genus Triglochin were analysed 
for types of breeding system. In all cases the taxa were found to be wind pollinated, self 
compatible and capable of self pollination. Seeds were dispersed by water for the 
perennial species, but no special means of dispersal were found in the small annuals. 


INTRODUCTION — General 

Little is known about the basic biology of most of our native flora. 
For most species there are no data on any aspect of their life history (e.g. 
length of life, flowering times, pollination biology, seed dispersal and 
seedling establishment). It is essential that a substantial amount of such 
data be accumulated so that an understanding of how our unique flora 
evolved and now maintains itself will be acquired. 

Considering the latter point in more detail; it is well known that many 
species, members of the genera Banksia, Macropidia , Lachnostachys and 
Ptilotus, set only very small amounts of viable seed per plant, even with an 
abundant supply of pollination vectors. Exploration of the reasons for such 
seed set patterns may enable one to estimate accurately the number of 
adult plants needed within an area for replacement by seedlings to occur, 
and thus plan adequate reserves for these species. 

Finally many of the above species are highly desirable subjects for 
cultivation, and a knowledge of the breeding system of a species is an 
essential prerequisite to any experimental breeding programme for the 
production of new cultivars. 

This series will, hopefully, add a large amount of new data to our 
knowledge of the life histories of our flora, which will be of general use to 
biologists and naturalists interested in the flora of our state. 

INTRODUCTION — Specific 

Triglochin L. (water ribbons) is a small cosmopolitan genus of approxi¬ 
mately 14 species. The extra-Australian species are all perennial herbs in¬ 
habiting shallow fresh water environments. These species are grown as 
fresh water aquaria plants, which is the only known economic use for 
members of the genus. 

Although cosmopolitan, the majority of species (approximately 11 of 
the 14 known) are restricted to Australia, and chiefly to South-Western 
Australia, where about 8 species are endemic. These endemic species form 
a unique group within the genus in that they are annuals, not perennials 
and are not truly aquatic (habit, Fig. 1A). These species occupy shallow, 
sandy, winter wet depressions throughout South-Western Australia. They 
can be easily grown in pots, and have been successfully cultivated. How¬ 
ever, they are not attractive subjects for horticultural purposes. 

LIFE HISTORY 

The annual species germinate in autumn, after the first heavy winter 
rains, vegetative growth occurs during winter, and flowering in spring. 
The plants die as the ground dries in early summer, and oversummer as 
seeds. Willis (1973) states that the “species of Triglochin bear fruits with 
spines, and are animal dispersed”, this does not appear true for the native 
annuals which have no special means of dispersal. The seeds fall off the 
plant on to the ground, where they lie dormant until next autumn. 

The perennials are still totally aquatic, and oversummer either by 
occupying permanent streams or dying back to their underground tubers 
(Fig. l.B). Specimens of T . procera var. duthiae observed at Darlington 
in a permanent creek dropped their fruits directly into the water where they 


81 


floated away. Specimens of the same variety in an ephemeral pool at 
Cannington dropped the fruits into the drying mud. Flowering of the 
perennial species commences in early spring and may extend into January 
in some permanent pools, e.g. below the Mundaring Weir. 



Fig. 1.—A. Triglochin minutissima; scale bar 3 cm. B. T. procera; 
scale bar 5 cm. C. T. minutissima; scale bar 10 mm, inflorescence, buds. 
D. T. minutissima; scale bar 15 mm, inflorescence, mature. E. T. minutis¬ 
sima; scale bar 5 mm, single flower. 


POLLINATION SYSTEMS 

Extra-Australian species arc known to be wind pollinated (Faegri and 
Van der Pijl, 1971 and Pojar, 1974). All members of the genus bear small 
inconspicuous green flowers of a very simple construction (Figs. 1, C, D, E). 
No nectar or other attractants for animal vectors are found in the flower. 
The pollen which is dry and powdery is dehisced from the anther into a 


82 















boat shaped bract below (Fig. 1, E), and is kept there until shaken out by 
the wind. No insects were observed visiting any of the 7 taxa observed 
for several hours at Cannington, although other species of plants flowering 
nearby were attracting a diverse fauna. Ample pollen dispersal by wind was 
observed in several cases. The floral morphology and field observations 
demonstrate that the Australian species are also wind pollinated. 

BREEDING SYSTEMS 

Methods—For the annual species two plants per population were 
scored for each of the open and closed seed set data columns. The average 
seed set of these plants is presented in each column of Table 1. 

For the perennial species two inflorescences, each from a separate 
plant, were scored and averaged per population for each column in Table 2. 
Very little variation between plants was noted in both instances. 

Closed seed set was determined either by isolated potted material 
(annuals) or by placing glassine bags over the inflorescences in the field 
(perennials). 

Initially in T. minutissimci hand self and cross pollinations were carried 
out on individual flowers. This method proved unnecessary as shown in 
the results. Seed set in both hand self and cross pollination were exactly the 
same, no differences being detected by this alternate method. 

Apomixis—Flower buds of four species were emasculated and bagged 
to detect the presence of apomixis (fruit setting without fertilization). 

RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION 

Nature of Breeding System—All species were found to be highly 
self compatible (Tables 1 and 2). There was no significant difference in any 
species between the amount of seed set in the field or by enforced selfing. 
All species were found capable of self pollinating (i.c. autogamous) when 
kept in isolation. This is in accord with the observations of Pojar (1974) on 
T. maritima in British Columbia, Canada. 

Apomixis—In all four species tested (Table 3) removal of the anthers 
results in a lack of fruit and seed set. Some fruit development was noted in 
T. minutissimci , but no seeds formed. It is probable, therefore, that the 
species are not apomictic, but further studies are needed on the other species 
of the genus. 


TIME OF SELFING 

Stigma squashes of isolated, recently opened flowers of the small an¬ 
nuals, just after anther dehiscence, invariably showed a deposition of pollen 
had occurred on the stigma. In the perennial species pollen was not deposit¬ 
ed on the stigma during anther dehiscence but fell from other flowers when 
wind disturbance occurred. One isolated inflorescence placed in a sealed box 
did deposit considerable pollen on the plate below its container, so wind is 
not absolutely necessary for selfing to occur. 

DISCUSSION 

Open spaces of water are ideal for wind transport of pollen between 
plants, but this is not true for small enclosed patches of swampy soil. To 
successfully occupy such areas, as annuals, the species have enhanced the 
ability to self present in the perennial species, to ensure adequate seed set. 

Seed dispersal has been reduced to a minimum in the annuals, ensuring 
that the species will occupy the same favourable area next year. 

Finally this breeding system enables several distinct taxa to occupy 
the same site by precluding the chance for hybridization, as the species are 
self pollinated before crossing can occur. This situation has been also found 
in the genus Darwinia by Briggs (1964). 


83 


TABLE 1.—SEED SET FOLLOWING SELF AND CROSS POLLINATION OF ANNUAL 
MEMBERS OF THE GENUS TRIGLOCHIN. 


Taxa 

Area collection 


Open seed set/ 

Closed 


originated from 


plant (Field or 

seed 




pots outside) 

set 

7. calcitrapa 

Cannington 


1.00 

1.00 

Hook. 

Ongerup 


1.00 

1.00 


Capel 


1.00 

1.00 


Arrino 


1.00 

1.00 

T. sp. 1 

Cannington 


1.00 

1.00 

(GJK171) aff. 





calcitrapa 





7. centrocarpa 

Cannington 


1.00 

1.00 

Hook. 

Tammin 


0.95 

1.00 


30 km S. Northampton 

1.00 

1.00 

T. sp. 2 

Cannington 


1.00 

1.00 

(GJK73) aff. 





centrocarpa 





7. mucronata 

Cannington 


0.97 

0.95 

R.Br. 

10 km N. Esperance 


1.00 

1.00 

7. mucronata 

Kalbarri 


1.00 

1.00 

R.Br. var nov 





(GJK204) 





7. minutissima 

306 mile peg 


1.00 

1.00 

F.v.M. 

Lake King Road 





Cannington 


1.00 

1.00 

TABLE 2.- 

-SEED SET FOLLOWING SELF AND CROSS POLLINATION OF 

PERENNIAL 

MEMBERS OF THE GENUS TRIGLOCHIN. 




Taxa 

Area collection 


Open seed set/ 

Closed 


originated from 


inflorescence 

Seed 




(Field) 

Set 

7. procera 

Capel 


0.91 

1.00 

R.Br. var 





procera 





T. procera 

Cannington 


1.00 

1.00 

R.Br. var 





duthiae 





T. striata 

Moore River 


0.92 

_ 

Ruiz and Pov 

Busselton 


— 

0.89 

TABLE 3.— 

•TESTS FOR APOMIXIS (ALL FROM CANN 

INGTON). 


Taxa 

No. 

flowers 

Fruit 

Seed 


emasculated 

development 

Set 

T. procera var 

duthiae 

6 

0 

0 

T. centrocarpa 


5 

0 

0 

T. sp. 1 


5 

0 

0 

7. minutissima 


10 

4 

0 


REFERENCES 

BRIGGS, B. G. 1964. The control of interspecific hybridization in Dar- 
winia. Evoln., 18: 292-303. 

FAEGRI, K. and L. VAN DER FIJI. 1971. Principles of Pollination Eco¬ 
logy, Pergammon Press, London. 

POJAR, J., 1974. Reproductive dynamics of four plant communities of 
Southwestern British Columbia. Canatl. Jonrn. Bot., 52: 1819-1834. 

WILLIS, J. C., 1973. Dictionary of the Flowering Plants and Ferns. Eighth 
Edition. Revised by H. K. Airey-Shaw. Cambridge. University Press, 
Cambridge. 


84 


UREA FROM YVILGIE MIA CAVE, W.A., 

AND A NOTE ON THE TYPE LOCALITY OF UREA 

By P. J. BRIDGE, Government Chemical Laboratories, Perth 

Urea, an organic mineral derived from mammalian urine, is rapidly 
decomposed under humid and bacterial conditions. However in dry warm 
areas accumulations of crystalline urea and associated minerals may occur. 
Several occurrences of urea are known, one from Egypt and the other from 
Lake Rason, W.A. (Bridge. 1973a). 

A further occurrence is in Wilgie Mia Cave (26° 56’S, 117° 41’E) which 
is developed in a hematite-rich zone of the banded ironstone of the Weld 
Range. The mining of red ochre over a long period of time by Aborigines 
and later commercial ochre production has enlarged the cave (Ellis, 1952). 

In 1973 M. Thomas, while investigating physiological aspects of the 
bat Taphozous georgianus which occurs with Eptesicus pitmihts in Wilgie 
Mia Cave, collected an encrustation of urea and biphosphammitc from the 
hematite wall rock of a small side chamber in the upper part of the cave. 
Further specimens were collected by the writer in late 1973. The urea oc¬ 
curred in a stalagmitic form approx. 30 cm high on a steep slope. The 
outer surface of the stalagmite was coated with hematite dust. The crystal 
mass is friable, cavernous, pale yellow in colour and contains scats com¬ 
posed of mammal hair, bone fragments and insects. The position of the 



Fig. 1.—Urea Stalagmite (the capsule is 4.5 cm high). 


stalagmite and its constituents can only be attributed to bats, confirmed as 
the Ghost Bat, Macroderma gigas. by A. M. Douglas from examination of 
scats. Feathers, mainly from owls, Tyto sp. or Ninox sp., are cemented into 
the crystal mass. Minerals associated with the urea were aphthitalite (K,Na) 
aNafSO^a) and biphosphammitc (NH.HaPCb). 


85 


The similarity of the Wilgie Mia and Lake Rason samples suggests 
that the latter occurrence may also be derived from Macroderma, thus 
extending the possible known range of this bat. Further the possible differ- 
ence in the mineralogy and chemistry of Macroderma and insectivorous bat 
guanos, shown by the high K-O content of the latter (Bridge, 1973b) strongly 
indicates a Macroderma origin for the Lake Rason guano. 

When Bridge (1973a) was published no information on the location of 
Earles Find could be found. The diaries of F. Hann, now in the Battye 
Library, Perth, have enabled the locality to be fixed at 129° 18’E, 26° 10’S, 
in South Australia near the WA-SA-NT border. The locality was visited 
by Hann on May 28 and 29, 1906 where he reports: “I came on a strange 
hill just as it was getting dark, got off, saw it was a kind of ironstone, 1 
looked about and saw the hole in the side Earles spoke of. I am sure now 
I have Earles Find .... at the east end it is about 50 feet high, nearly all 
iron, cave on N side, east end, small hole to go in about 20 feet, can stand 
up in it.” Hann visited Earles Find again on January 15-18, 1907. 

His diary makes no mention of bats or having collected any guano 
samples on either trip to Earles Find. However he reports from a place 
he named Bats Camp 4< a good cave here, dozens of bats in it.” This was 
visited on January 18, 1906 and is in the vicinity of Lake Mclnnes which 
is approximately 124° 10’E, 28° 22’S. This is some 25 miles NE of Toppin 
Hill which was considered the urea type locality (Bridge, 1973a). 

The problem arising as to the correct type locality for the mineral urea 
will not be resolved until an examination is made of the possible sites. 

Pscudobitumen or dung bitumen, derived from rat droppings and 
incorporating large amounts of hematite is common on ledges around the 
entrance to the side chamber containing the urea in Wilgie Mia Cave. An 
analysis of this material reported by Maitland (1905) showed a high content 
of KuO and examination by the author of the water soluble inorganic 
compounds showed sylvite (KC1) to be the main component with minor 
syngenite (KXafSO*),. H r O), nitre (KNOs) and aphthitalite. Specimens are 
preserved in the collections of the W.A. Government Chemical Laboratories, 
W.A. Museum and British Museum (Natural History). 

The author appreciates the co-operation of A. Baynes, R. E. Johnstone 
and A. M. Douglas of the W.A. Museum and of M. Thomas for supplying 
the original sample. The help of the South Australian Department of Mines 
and the State Library of South Australia in supplying old references is also 
appreciated. 


REFERENCES 

BRIDGE, P. J., 1973a. Urea, a new mineral and neotype phosphammite 
from Western Australia. Min. Mag., 39: 346-348. 

BRIDGE, P. J., 1973b. Guano minerals from Murra-el-elevyn Cave, West¬ 
ern Australia. Min. Mag., 39: 467-9. 

DOUGLAS, A. M., 1967. The natural history of the Ghost Bat, Macrodcrma 
gigas (Microchiroptera, Megadcrmatidae) in Western Australia. West. 
A ust. Nat., 10 (6): 125-138. 

ELLIS, H. A., 1952. Report on radioactivity at Wilgi [sic] Mia Cave, Min¬ 
eral Claim 26. Ann. Prog. Rpt. Geol. Surv. W.A. for 1952: 44-48. 

MAITLAND, A. Gibb, 1905. Miscellaneous mineral notes. Ann. Prog. Rpt. 
Geol. Surv. W.A. for 1905: 21. 


86 


A MOLLUSC AN INTERMEDIATE HOST TO FASCIOLA HEPATIC A 
LINNAEUS FERAL IN SOUTH-WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 


By PHILLIP N. CHALMER, Department of Zoology, University of West¬ 
ern Australia and GEORGE W. KENDRICK, Western Australian Museum 

In March 1975, a population of the pond snail Lymnaea (Pseudosuc- 
cinea) columella Say was discovered in the Canning River above the Kent 
Street Weir at Cannington, a Perth suburb. Specimens collected on this 
occasion were presented to the Western Australian Museum, where the 
identification was made. L. (P.) columella is a confirmed intermediate host 
of the Liver Fluke of domestic livestock Fasciola hepatica Linnaeus (Pullan, 
1970) and is the first such species to be recorded from south-western 
Australia. 

On several occasions from late 1972 into 1974, odd specimens of this 
then unfamiliar snail were received for identification at the Western Aus¬ 
tralian Museum. All had been found in local aquaria and a non-Australian 
identity was suspected. This opinion was subsequently confirmed by Dr. J. 
B. Burch at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, who recognized the 
specimens as L. (P.) columella, an eastern North American species that has 
been introduced to western North America, Central America, Cuba, Europe 
and South Africa according to Hubendick (1951) and to New Zealand (Pul- 
lan, 1970; Climo and Pullan, 1972). A feral Australian population has re¬ 
cently been discovered at Sydney, New South Wales (Ponder, 1975). 

The shell of L. (P.) columella is unlike that of any other Iymnaeid snail 
known to occur in Western Australia. It is elongate and succineiform, with 
a height to width ratio of about 2.2 : 1 (Fig. 1). The largest specimen meas- 


Fig. 1. — Shell of Lymnaea (Pseudosuccinea) columella Say x 2. 

ured (3 whorls) has a height of 11 mm, width of 5 mm and an apertural 
height of 7.5 mm. Under magnification, the shell is seen to bear a very fine, 
close spiral sculpture, most evident on the last whorl. The animal is typically 
Iymnaeid with eyes on the head between two broad flat triangular tentacles; 
body greyish-brown. The succineid snails, which have a superficially similar 
shell, have four cylindrical tentacles on the head, the eyes being located on 
the tips of the upper, larger pair. 

The only other Iymnaeid snail known to have become established in 
south-western Australia is Austropeplea lessoni (Dcshayes), first noted at 
Coolup in 1941 (Robinson, 1949) and subsequently collected throughout the 
entire region north to the Northampton district. Its shell is ovate with a short 
spire and very thin, smooth and transparent whorls; the animal is yellow- 
brown. A. lessoni is native to eastern Australia and New Guinea and ap¬ 
pears to have been introduced to Western Australia. The related A. tomen- 
tosa (Pfeiffer), a confirmed host to F. hepatica (Boray and McMichael, 
1961), inhabits the northern part of Western Australia but Museum records 
suggest that it does not extend south of the Gascoyne River System. The 
European Lymnaea stagnalis (Linnaeus) is kept in Perth aquaria but is not 
known to have become established locally. 

The source of the Australian infestations of L. (P.) columella is un¬ 
known but the circumstantial evidence suggests that the exotic fish trade 
may have been implicated. What appears to be a parallel situation has arisen 




87 


in Florida, U.S.A., where a thiarid snail of the genus Tcirebia, believed to be 
a host species of the Oriental Lung Fluke, Paragonimus westermani, has 
become feral following its introduction with aquatic plants from the 
Philippines (Morrison, 1954). The present local situation suggests that the 
quarantine procedures, which should control the entry of exotic organisms 
into Australia, are not fully effective. In our opinion, a national survey of 
the aquarium molluscs of Australia is overdue in view of the association 
of some freshwater snails, such as L. (P.) columella, with parasitic diseases 
of man and livestock. 

We thank Dr. J. B. Burch, now of the Australian Museum, Sydney, 
for the identification of specimens and Dr. W. F. Ponder, Australian 
Museum, for information regarding the New South Wales occurrence of 
L. (P.) columella. The illustration was drawn by Lesley J. Gilchrist. 

REFERENCES 

BORAY, J. C. and D. F. McMICHAEL 1961. The identity of the Australian 
lymnacid snail host of Fasciola hepatica L. and its response to environ¬ 
ment. The Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 12: 
150-163. 

CLIMO, F. N. and N. B. Pullan 1972. A taxonomic review of the family 
Lymnaeidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in New Zealand. Journal of the 
Royal Society of New Zealand, 2: 5-13. 

HUBENDICK, B. 1951. Recent Lymnaeidae. K. svenska Vetensk Akad. 
Handl., 3: 1-223. 

MORRISON, J. P. E. 1954. The relationships of Old and New World 
melanians. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 103: 
357-394. 

PONDER, W. F. 1975. The occurrence of Lymnaea (Pseudosuccinea) 
columella, an intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica L., in Australia. 
Australian Veterinary Journal (in preparation). 

PULLAN, N. B. 1970. The first report in New Zealand of Lymnaea 
columella Say (Mollusca: Gastropoda), an intermediate host of the Liver 
Fluke Fasciola hepatica L. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 17: 255- 
256. 

ROBINSON, A. 1949. An introduced pond snail in the Murray District. The 
Western Australian Naturalist, 2: 47-48. 


SOME ASPECTS OF ABORIGINAL OCCUPATION SITES IN THE 
PERTH METROPOLITAN AREA. 

By B. BLURTON and P. RANDOLPH, Aboriginal Sites Department, 

W.A. Museum. 

When living off the land (before Europeans arrived) Aborigines often 
camped on the coastal plain. Such places are referred to as occupation sites. 

Several sites are known throughout the Midland, Kewdalc and Lyn¬ 
wood areas, as well as along the Darling Scarp. (Akerman, 1969; Butler, 
1958 and Hallam, 1972, 1973). The general characteristics of these sites 
are as follows: they are often situated near permanent water sources; on 
sandy ridges; usually with little or no vegetation where there is evidence 
of an artefact scatter. Therefore, if you came across a site, you would find 
artefacts scattered on the ground. 

The earliest phase of occupation can tentatively be divided into Inland 
and Coastal localities. Inland refers to sites on and around the scarp. The 
artefacts associated with this locality are pebble choppers and steep edge 
scrapers (including horse-hoof scrapers) often made from dolerite. Some 
of these artefacts are river washed stones that have been flaked only once, 
the sharp edge making an adequate cutting tool. Coastal areas start from the 
foot of the scarp continuing across the sandy coastal plain to the sea. Arte¬ 
facts found in this area are steep scrapers on flakes and scrapers made from 


88 



Fig. 1. — A general view of a site on a sandy ridge with a permanent water 

course nearby. 



Fig. 2.—Grinding stone with grinder and other artefacts scattered nearby. 


fossiliferous chert. The source of fossiliferous chert seems to have become 
unaccessible at about 5,000 years B.P. (before present) and therefore the 
early phase dates back beyond 5,000 years. 

A middle phase is apparent between about 5,000 years and 500 years 
ago. This is characterised by the use of quartz and a fine green chert 
modelled into the shape of backed blades, adzes, scrapers and other flakes. 

The late phase from 500 years ago up to the time of European contact 
in the middle 1800’s saw another change in the artefact assemblage in the 
form of ‘fabricators’. The assemblage also includes lots of quartz flakes, 
chips, and waste material. ‘Fabricators’ arc prepared by smashing quartz 
nodules between two other rocks. The resulting artefacts are effectively 
flaked from both ends creating two sets of cutting edges which could be 
used as tools. It is likely that because of their small size ‘fabricators’ were 
mounted with gum on wooden implements. 

Glasslike material (European bottles, porcelain, etc.) was introduced 
later, and was often flaked and made into traditional artefacts. The range 
of artefacts at the Walyunga site includes pieces of pottery, claypipes and 
bottle glass. This is evidence of European contact which in the years that 
followed changed the Aboriginal life style till traditional tools of stone were 
no longer to be found at sites. 


89 


In traditional times a camp would almost always be set lip near a 
water source, because there is usually food to be found in association with 
good water sources. Some of the more permanent sites can be pinpointed 
because grinding stones have been found on location, indicating that grass 
and other seeds were probably prepared for eating at the spot. It is probable 
that some sites were occupied seasonally over long periods, showing evidence 
of more than one phase of occupation, while others were merely visited on 
a random basis. An analysis of the artefact material provides an assessment 
of the past use of the site. 

We are grateful to Mrs S. J. Hallam, W.A. University, for much of the 
information concerning the phases of occupation sites in the metropolitan 
area. 

REFERENCES 

AKERMAN, K. 1969. Walyunga an Aboriginal site near Perth. Ilchinkinja. 
Journal of W.A. Anthropological and Sociological Students Association, 
3. 

BUTLER, W. H. 1958. Some previously unrecorded Aboriginal artefact 
sites near Perth W.A. W.A. Naturalist, 6 (6). 

HALLAM, S. J. 1972. An archaeological survey of the Perth area, W.A. 
Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies Newsletter, 3 (5) November 
1972. 

HALLAM, S. J. 1973. Ecology and demography in southwestern Australia. 
Journal of the Royal Society of W.A., 56 (1 & 2): 46-48. 


PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION IN BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS 
OF NATIONAL PARKS 

By FRANCIS G. SMITH, Director, National Parks Board of Western 

Australia. 

In order that the information obtained from biological surveys of 
national parks may have some relevance to ecological management, it is 
essential that it be presented in an appropriate form. 

It is suggested that the report of a survey should contain the following 
appendices: — 

1. A map of vegetation types—(Plant Associations/Formations)—at 
the largest scale practicable. This should follow the criteria of the W.A. 
Vegetation Survey Committee. (See Vegetation Maps Pemberton/Irwin Inlet 
1972, Busselton/Augusta 1973, Collie 1974). 

2. For each vegetation type or plant community the following infor¬ 
mation is required:— 

(a) Name of Plant Association—Formation. 

(b) Location—include grid reference or latitude and longitude. 

(c) Vegetation System (if one has been recognised by earlier work or 
by the current survey). 

(d) Habitat—brief description of topography, climate, soil, rock and 
other edaphic factors. 

(e) Brief description of community with notes on effect of fires, actual 
or estimated time since last fire. Notes on regeneration. 

(f) Floristic Composition (table). 

The table of the floristic composition should be presented in order 
of importance in the community under the following headings: — 


90 


Botanical name, author, frequency, height (metres or cm), form, 
notes: 

(i) Frequency, expressed by symbols as follows:— 
Abundant (a) 

Frequent (f) 

Occasional (o) 

Rare (r) 

Local (1) 

Dominant (d) 

Co-dominant (cd) 

(ii) Form expressed as 
Tree (T) 

Shrub (S) 

Herb (H) 

(g) Table of fauna associated with the vegetation type or plant com¬ 
munity under the following headings:— Scientific name, common 
name (if any), frequency. 

(h) Notes on any special relationship between fauna and that particular 
vegetation type or plant community, i.e. nesting, breeding, essential 
food requirement, cover. 


EXAMPLE 


Vegetation Type: Eucalyptus gomphocephala woodland (B3T) 

Location: Yalgorup National Park, between Lake Clifton and Martin Tank. 
Map Ref. 367938. 


Vegetation System: Spearwood System (McArthur & Bettenay, 1960). 

Habitat: Low sandy ridge, with acolionitic limestone 2-4 m below surface. 
Sand yellow to brown, leached white on surface, free drainage. Rainfall 
880 mm mostly winter. 

Description: Woodland in which Tuart is dominant, with understorey of 
trees Agonis jlexuosa and Banksia grandis, tall shrubs Acacia spp. and 
Jacksonia furcellata. Low shrub and herb layer sparse. No evidence of 
Tuart regeneration. At least ten years since last fire. In recently burnt 
adjacent areas understorcy shows rapid rate of recovery. 


istic Composition: Eucalyptus gomphocephala DC. 

ad 

20-30 

m 

T 

E. calophylla R.Br. 

1 

20-25 

m 

T 

Agonis jlexuosa (Spreng.) Schau. 

f 

6-10 

m 

T 

Banksia grandis Willd. 

1 

3-7 

m 

T 

Jacksonia furcellata (Bonpl.) DC 

1 

2-3 

m 

S 

Acacia saligna (Labill.) Wendle 

o 

2-3 

m 

S 

A. pulchella R.Br. 

1 

-1 

m 

S 

Clematis pubescens Hueg. 

o 

climber 


Drosera stolonifera Endl. 

f 

0.2 

m 

H 


Fauna Present: Macropus fuliginosus , Western Grey Kangaroo 
Tarsipes spenccrae, Honey Possum 
Pseudomys albocinereus , Ashy-grey Mouse 
Tackyglossus aculeatus, Echidna 
Trachysaurus rugosus, Bobtail 
Dromaius novae/tollandiae , Emu 


f 

r 

o 

r 

o 

o 


Notes: Both the Grey Kangaroo and the Emu use the woodland as shelter 
but are not dependent upon it for food. When undisturbed these two 
species feed even in daylight on nearby areas of open heath, the 
Grey Kangaroos particularly favour the heath of the secondary 
coastal dunes. 


It is hoped that the information from a biological survey would be 
rather more comprehensive than that given in the above example, which is 
only a guide to form. 


91 


DIXON ISLAND; AN ABORIGINAL SITE IN DANGER 


By KINGSLEY PALMER, Department of Aboriginal Sites, W.A. Museum. 

Dixon Island is situated off the north-west coast of Western Australia, 
not far from the iron ore loading port at Cape Lambert. Visitors to the 
island have reported numerous signs of Aboriginal habitation, particularly 
artefact scatters, workshop areas and middens. At present the island is 
largely ignored, though the access beach at Antonio’s Mire is a much used 
fishing and boating place. It is likely therefore that within a short time of the 
continued expansion of the area the island will be increasingly used as a 
tourist and pleasure area. 

Perhaps the most salient feature of the island is that it is bounded to 
the north and west by steep sea cliffs whose precipitous fall into deep waters 
renders its situation valuable as a harbour in an area of extensive salt 
marshes and shallow tidal flats. Dixon Island received attention from the 
Pilbara Study Group (1) and it has been suggested that the island would 
make an ideal industrial complex and port site. 

The island’s archaeological potential is threatened on all sides, and 
action at least in the form of a preliminary survey was essential. Immediate 
problems were mainly physical ones since access to the island was not easy. 
Local sources stated that it was possible to walk to the island at low tide, 
but the proposition did not appear altogether practical. Small boats were 
also unsuitable since sandbanks, shoals and the poor nature of the access 
track across the marshes could have caused problems. Finally a canoe was 
offered, being both light and of shallow draft. While the vessel imposed 
limitation on baggage the journey to the island was both adventurous and 
efficient, and not so far removed from the way in which the Aborigines 
must have been crossing the same stretch of water for generations. 

The island is composed geologically of shales and chert of Cleverville 
Formations belonging to the Archaean period. The rock has been weathered 
to a rough consistency in places and demonstrates extreme irregularities in 
stratified forms as a result of subterranean pressures. Where exposed it is 
consistently dark red and sometimes purple. The associated weathered sand 
is consequently of a dark red colour. While the greater part of the island is 
composed of these older rocks, coastal areas are mainly sand dunes, with 
bands of quaternary limestone and coral deposits still unconsolidated. 

The topography of the island can thus be divided into two main sections. 
The inland areas arc of low rolling hills, with isolated outcrops of rock. 
This higher land terminates in the spectacular sea cliffs to the north west of 
the island at a height of something over 35 metres. The lower coastal areas 
are of sand and more recent deposits, being flat and for the most part low 
lying. The island is then on the whole of regular appearance, and the 
terrain smooth and uninterrupted by bluffs and outcrops. The rising ground 
that terminated in the sea cliffs offers some contrast to this relief by present¬ 
ing bolder, higher ground. The island is approximately five and a half 
kilometres in length, and from one to two kilometres wide. 

The chief vegetation of the island is spinifex. This covers almost all 
of the high inland areas, and extends to cover the dune areas in places. 
However, there are quantities of local grasses, which in some places are 
more prolific than the spinifex. Large areas of the coast to the west and 
south-east have mangroves and inland areas and coastal alluvial flats have 
several varieties of shrub—mulgas and acacias, but there were no larger 
trees. 

The island had a prolific kangaroo population. These were Plains 
Kangaroos, which unmolested, breed freely on the island. There are also 
goannas and geckoes, pelicans, cormorants and sea eagles. Above all else 
the island is surrounded by waters containing a rich and varied sea life. 
The extensive tidal flats contained multitudes of shells, bivalves and gas¬ 
tropods, mainly mangrove creepers. A variety of fish live in the water, as 
well as turtles, dugongs and beche-de-mer. 


92 


Very little is known of the Aboriginal relationship to the island. Tra¬ 
ditionally the island would have been in Ngarluma territory, and it is prob¬ 
able that these were the people who used it. The island does not figure in 
any of the traditional lore with which we are familiar, nor is the place 
talked of by the surviving members of the race. We do know however 
from the accounts of contemporary explorers (2) that the Ngarluma people 
did use primitive rafts. These were corkwood boughs bound together, and 
paddled by hand. By analogy with surviving coastal peoples elsewhere we 
may conclude that the Ngarluma would have exploited both fish and shell 
food from the area. The accessibility of Dixon Island would have made it 
a natural location for habitation from time to time, perhaps when there were 
exceptionally low tides, or when other food sources gave out. There is 
however no evidence to support the view that the island had ceremonial 
significance, though knowledge of these people is extremely limited. 

We have then an easily accessible coastal island, offering rich supplies 
of food, shelter and most probably seasonal fresh water. Further, supplies 
of local rock were of a fine-grained material which broke cleanly, offering 
a sharp cutting edge ideal for domestic and cultural use. It is hardly 
surprising therefore that the island offers a number of rich Aboriginal sites 
of the habitation and artefact gen re. 

Eight artefact/midden sites were found on the island, and these were 
all located in the low coastal areas, adjacent to bays or tidal mud flats and 
mangrove thickets. The sites along the south-east coast were located on 
limestone or coral conglomerate, interspersed with thick shrubs in places. 
The soil however was generally sandy and the outlook was usually man¬ 
groves or coastal mud flats. The sites along the north-west were only 
different in that they were located in dunes of a more prominent nature, 
though in one case the site was located well behind the beach on flat 
alluvial, interspersed with spinifex. Sites varied in their extent, measuring 
from 30 metres in length along a beach line, to something over 200 metres. 
The depth of the deposit was only tested in one location, and was there 
found to be at least 30 centimetres, though it was time that arrested the 
depth of the test pit, not lack of material. 

Sites varied mainly in numbers and abundance of artefacts. The 
material was from local rocks and has been identified as silicified chert 
breccia, fine grained cherty siltstone and banded chalcedony (3). Artefacts 
from the local green rocks found in some numbers on the north-west of the 
island were formed from the green granular rocks. They were particularly 
attractive as were those manufactured from translucent chalcedony with 
black impurities that made an intricate tracework when held up to the 
light. At only one place, near high water mark, was bottle glass discovered, 
and this was doubtfully artefactual. Worked bailer shell was also noted as 
were fragments of bailer shell, though it is possible that these were a food 
source. They may have served both purposes. 

By far the greater part of the midden material was composed of bi- 
valves (Anadara sp). These littered the ground in great profusion and over 
extensive areas in some cases. Next were gastropods, mainly mangrove 
creepers, found in fewer numbers but with no established pattern as far as 
location was concerned. Lastly fragments of bailer shell, trumpet shell and 
turtle bone were noted, along with crab claws and other unidentifiable 
calcareous material. 

The island is threatened both by industrial development and by tourism. 
The island is outstanding for its Aboriginal habitation and midden sites, both 
for their abundance and unspoilt condition as they relate to the island as a 
whole. The island is also of outstanding natural beauty, offering sea cliffs 
and scenery rarely found in this section of Western Australia. The wild life 
and flora are unmolested and worthy of a separate study. 

NOTES 

(1) The Pilbara Study, Report of the Industrial Development of the 

Pilbara. Canberra, 1974. 6.5.ff. 


93 


(2) The Diary of William Shakespeare Hall, 1861. Copies from the originals 
by J. H. Clifton, 1928. W.A. Historical Society. Entry for May 15th. 

(3) J. Clarke, Conservation Geologist, W.A. Museum; personal communi¬ 
cation. March 1975. 

The writer wishes to acknowledge with thanks the help and advice of 
Bill Curry, whose co-operation and forebearancc made this preliminary 
survey possible. 

Details of all sites, including maps and photographs are on file with 
the Registrar of Aboriginal Sites, W.A. Museum. 


NESTING OF BANDED STILTS AT LAKE BALLARD 
By C. F. H. JENKINS 

The Banded Stilt (Cladorhynchus leucocephalus) has been known to 
science for almost 160 years and yet it still remains one of Australia’s 
mystery birds. Each summer flocks of these stilts, or Rottnest Snipe, appear 
on the Rottnest salt lakes and other waters along the west coast, but during 
the breeding season the birds disappear inland and for more than a hundred 
years they managed to conceal their nesting habits from the prying eyes of 
even the most ardent bird watchers. 

The first breakthrough came in the winter of 1930 when eggs, photo¬ 
graphs and dead birds taken at Lake Grace were forwarded to the Western 
Australian Museum by Mrs. B. E. Cannon of Kukerin. A comparison of 
these eggs with those of the White-headed Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), 
confirmed that the Lake Grace eggs were indeed new to science. 

Remarkably enough the next breeding record of this stilt came in 
December of the same year when eggs were collected at Lake Callabona 
in the north of South Australia (McGilp and Morgan, 1931). Despite the 
increased interest aroused by these two nesting records and a watching brief 
by various naturalists no further breeding activity was recorded until 1945 
and 1946—two very wet years—when nesting again took place at Lake 
Grace, but on both occasions, the eggs were flooded before the chicks could 
hatch (Serventy & Whittell, 1967). 

The latest record of a successful breeding in Western Australia came 
from Lake Ballard, about eight miles north-west of Menzies, in July 1973. 

Police sergeant Alan Middleton reported the occurrence and confirmed 
it by forwarding newly hatched chicks to the Perth Zoological Gardens 
where they were successfully reared by the Director, Mr. Tom Spence. 

Middleton stated that approximately 13 inches of rain fell at Menzies 
from May to October and that about 60 breeding pairs occupied samphire 
flats on the edge of the lake. Brine shrimps, Parartemia sp., were said 
to be present, but not numerous and the birds had access to extensive areas 
of water about four inches deep. 

Unfortunately, various predators were attracted to the area including 
Aborigines (to whom the chicks are a delicacy), crows, hawks (including 
Grey Falcons) and foxes. The clutch size, as at the original Lake Grace site, 
varied from three to four but Middleton estimates that only about 10 per 
cent of the chicks normally survive. 

Middleton also reported that although no nesting colony was actually 
found, the Banded Stilts certainly bred in the Menzies district in 1963 when 
numbers of chicks walked through the town. 

This recalls a much earlier reference to chicks walking by T. Smith of 
Kalgoorlie who, writing to the Curator of the Museum, Mr. L. Glauert, 
referred to “the migration of young ‘Rottnest Snipe’ which took place from 


94 


a large lake some distance from Menzies this spring” (1929). Smith con¬ 
tinued: “they must have died by the hundred thousands for a strip of country 
about 30 miles wide was literally white with dead birds” (Glauert & Jenkins, 
1931). 

Fortunately several of the stilt chicks received at the zoo in 1973 are 
still thriving and observations on these and other older birds made by Mr. 
Spence have revealed some interesting plumage changes. 

The characteristic chestnut band has generally been taken as a sign 
of maturity and white-breasted birds have been regarded as immature. But 
some of the captive birds have been seen to lose their chestnut feathers 
and to moult into the white “immature” plumage, suggesting that as with 
many other waders, the Banded Stilt may have an “eclipse” phase charac¬ 
terised by the loss of the chestnut band. If this is correct then many of the 
white-breasted birds seen on the coastal plain and at Rottnest (Storr, 1965) 
during the summer time may not be immature birds, but adults in non¬ 
breeding plumage. 

Another interesting feature noted by Mr. Spence (pers. comm.) was that 
when feeding, the very young chicks adopted a side to side or scything 
action with the bill reminiscent of the Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehol- 
landiae). This habit is not noticeable in adult birds. 

Although there is no close relationship between flamingos and stilts 
there are some remarkable similarities in their breeding habits. For instance, 
as with the Banded Stilt, the breeding habits of the Lesser Flamingo 
(Phoeniconaias minor) of Africa was shrouded in legend and mystery for 
many years and the true story was not revealed until Leslie Brown (Brown, 
I960) flew over large breeding colonies in Lake Natron—one of the alkaline 
lakes of Tanganyika. He reported large parties of chicks walking many 
kilometres to the shore and the heavy mortality which accompanied this 
mass movement. 

A major trek of the Lesser Flamingo was also recorded by Hugh 
Berry when thousands of chicks walked to the nearest source of water 
after Etosha Pan in South-west Africa dried up in 1971. They travelled 
80 km and were fed en route by the parents “who flew ahead to the place 
where they were going and returned with food for the chicks” (Anon., 1973). 

It is worthy of note that although flamingos do not occur naturally in 
Australia at the present time, fossil remains have been found at Lake Eyre 
in South Australia, not far from the region in which the Banded Stilts 
nested in 1930 (Stirton et al. t 1961). It is interesting to reflect upon the 
changing conditions which caused the flamingos to disappear from the 
scene and the stilts to survive or perhaps take their place. 


REFERENCES 

ANON. 1973. The Wildfowl Trust, Bull. No. 67, p. 6. 

BROWN, L. 1960. The Mystery of the Flamingo. Collins, London. 

GLAUERT, L. & C. F. H. JENKINS. 1931, Notes on the Banded Stilt 
Cladorhynchus leucocephalus, with a description of its eggs. Jour. 
Roy Soc. W. Aust., p. 1. 

McGILP, J. N. & A. M. MORGAN, 1931, The Nesting of the Banded Stilt 
Cladorhynchus leucocephalus. South Austr. Ornith., 11, p. 35. 

SERVENTY, D. L. & H. M. WHITTELL. 1967, Birds of Western Australia, 
4th edn. Lamb Pub. Pty. Ltd. Perth. 

STIRTON, et al., 1961. The Caenozoic Stratigraphy and Vertebrate Paleon¬ 
tology of the Tirari Desert, South Aust. Rec. South Aust. Mus., 14: 35. 

STORR, G. M. 1964. The Avifauna of Rottnest Island, Western Australia. 
Emu, 64: 105-112. 


95 


OBSERVATIONS ON FLIES OF THE FAMILY MILICHIIDAE 
CLEANING ARANEUS AND NEPHILA SPIDERS 

By R. P. McMILLAN. Honorary Associate, W.A. Museum 

An interesting association between spiders and flies was observed in 
1972/1973 at Guildford, Western Australia. The spiders were Araneus 
transmarinus Keyserling, 1865, family Arancidae, sometimes known as 
“Garden Spiders", and Nephila sp., family Araneidae, known as Golden 
Orb Weavers. The flies were identifed by David McAlpine of the Australian 
Museum, as belonging to the genus Desmometopa, family Milichiidac. No 
species identification has yet been made. 

The observations began at Guildford Grammar School in February 
1972, when a number of small flies were seen wandering over the webs of 
A. transmarinus, and congregating on the spiders’ prey of bees and cicadas. 
It was noted that the flies, when moving over the web, used the radial 
threads for walking and flew over the circular, sticky sections. This seemed 
to indicate a long familiarity with this type of environment. 

The flies were also observed congregating on the spiders, mainly in 
and around their mouth and anal regions. It was noted that the insects 
were actually feeding, and at the same time appeared to be acting as clean¬ 
ers. As a result of feeding on bees the spiders had become wet and sticky 
around their cheliccrac and mouths, this seemed to attract the flics to these 
places. To “help” the cleaning operation, the spiders spread their cheliccrae, 
thus allowing the flies to feed actively all over the bases, fangs and mouth. 

The spiders defaecated at frequent intervals and when this occurred 
several flies would move and feed at the anal opening. The number of flies 
in this region were never as great as around the cheliccrae and mouth. 

In March 1973 two large female Golden Orb Weavers, which one of 
the students had collected on the coast at Triggs, were released in the school 
grounds. These spiders soon began trapping cicadas and bees in their webs 
and feeding on them. The “cleaning" flies immediately arrived and their 
behaviour was the same as for A. transmarinus. 

In 1974 I commenced observations at Cottesloe where A. transmarinus 
and the “cleaning" flies have been active. 

During the observations none of the spiders made any attempt to get 
rid of the flics; in fact, they went as far as to actively co-operate with them 
in making the cleaning easier by opening their cheliccrae. This behaviour 
seems to indicate a long term association. 

Bristowe (1941) has interesting examples of intimate associations by 
small flics on spiders but “the reason for their presence in such an unusual 
situation" puzzled him. He quotes a case where an observer noted a small 
fly crawling over the palps and “mouth" of Nephila maculata. He also 
records a sighting of Milichiid flies, Desmetopa sordida Fall., sharing a 
snared hive bee with a spider, probably Thomisus anustus Walck. Another 
fly, Microphorus crassipes Macq., family Empididae, has been recorded as 
feeding on prey trapped in spider webs (Laurence, 1948). 

The present observation is, as far as I know, the first of flies actively 
feeding on material present on living spiders. 

REFERENCES 

BRISTOWE, W. S. 1941. The Comity of Spiders. Vol. 2: 368-369. Ray 

Society, London. 

LAURENCE, B. R. 1948. Observations on Microphorus crassipes Macq. 

(Diptera, Empididae). Ent. Mon. Mag., 84: 282-283. 


96 


THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN 

NATURALIST 


Vol. 13 


April 14, 1976 


No. 5 


THE AVON: FAUNAL AND OTHER NOTES ON A DYING RIVER 
IN SOUTH-WESTERN AUSTRALIA 

By GEORGE W. KENDRICK, Greenwood. 

INTRODUCTION 

In the course of general studies on the freshwater molluscs of Western 
Australia, it became apparent that very little information was available, 
either in museum collections or published records, about the mollusc fauna 
of the Avon River. This was unexpected because the Avon is one of the 
major rivers of the South-West Region and could have been expected to 
contribute prominently to any study of the aquatic life of the area, in 
seeking to account for this discrepancy, evidence has been obtained which 
suggests that, since the turn of the century, the original aquatic environ¬ 
ment and fauna of the Avon have been subjected to a variety of disturbances 
of increasing severity. These, so far as they affect the molluscs, have reached 
catastrophic proportions and local extinction now seems distinctly possible 
for some, if not all, of the original fauna. Paradoxically, the environmental 
changes that have harmed these species have facilitated upstream expansion 
into the Avon of what appears until recently to have been a wholly estu¬ 
arine mollusc. The reason for these changes seems to lie with the near- 
complete alienation of land for agriculture in the drainage basin and the 
absence of any kind of conservation-management policy that would recog¬ 
nize the need to protect the riverine environment and biota. 

The inland boundary of the Avon drainage basin is not readily defin¬ 
able, varying according to seasonal fluctuations in the amount and distri¬ 
bution of rainfall. Theoretical maximum boundaries are depicted by Bet- 
tenay and Mulcahy (1972: 360, Fig. 1), who recognize a topographically 
young to mature western part, characterized by a regular, annual discharge 
to the sea and a larger, topographically old inland part, which contributes 
to external drainage only irregularly and after periods of exceptional rain. 
In most years, external discharge is confined to the area westward from 
the Meckering Line of Mulcahy (1967, 1973). The present study concerns 
mainly the active, fully fluviatile part of the Avon lying immediately inland 
from the Darling Range and major tributaries, such as the Dale and Mort- 
lock Rivers, the Talbot and Spencer’s Brooks (Fig. 1). Most of this area 
lies between the 380-508 mm (15-20 inch) isohycts, the 6 wettest months 
being May to October. River flow is strongly seasonal and usually ceases 
during summer-autumn. 

1. THE AVON MOLLUSCS 

Aquatic molluscs were recorded from the Avon soon after the estab¬ 
lishment of the Swan River Colony. The collector .1. A. L. Preiss (see 
Glauert, 1948) obtained two species, a thiarid snail and a naiad or fresh¬ 
water mussel while in the York district between 1838-42. His specimens 
were presented to C. T. Menkc, the German conchologist, and recorded 
(Menkc, 1843) under the names Melania lirata , new species and Unio 
australis Lamarck respectively. However the names applied by Menke to 
these particular specimens arc no longer recognized. The first was a homo¬ 
nym of M. lirata Benson and was replaced by Brot (1862) with the new 


97 





Fig. 1.—Swan-Avon and Moore River systems, south-western Australia, 
showing principal tributaries. 


name Melania incerta. Latterly, Australian snails of this group have been 
placed in the genus Plotiopsis Brot. Their taxonomy is unsatisfactory (see 
McMichael, 1967) and the correct name for the Avon specimens is un¬ 
certain but I follow Hcdlcy (1916) provisionally, in the use of the name 
P. australis (I. and H. C. Lea, 1850) for Western Australian occurrences. 
Menke’s other name was a misidentification of the species now r known as 
Westralunio carteri Iredale (see McMichael and Hiscock, 1958). The present 
whereabouts of Menke’s specimens is unknown; they may be lost (Dance, 
1966). 

A second early record from the Avon concerns a specimen of W. car - 
teri presented to the British Museum (Natural History) by Mrs. J. Gould 
(McMichael and Hiscock, ibid.), which was probably collected by John 
Gilbert while in the York or Toodyay districts during 1839-1840. Whittell 
(1954) records that Gilbert’s consignments to Gould in the latter year, at 
the close of his first visit to Western Australia, included three boxes of 
shells. 

These few records from the pioneering days of the last century (with 
the sole exception of Main, 1968: 58) appear to comprise all that has been 
published hitherto on the mollusc fauna of the Avon. Recent collecting has 
revealed the presence of a further 5 species, making a total of 7 species 
from the river. These 7 are the bivalves Westralunio carteri Iredale and 
Anticorbula amara (Laseron), the prosobranch snails Potamopyrgus sp.. 


98 









Coxiella glabra Macpherson and Plotiopsis australis (I. and H. C. Lea) and 
the pulmonate snails Physa sp. and Physastra sp. The status of these species, 
past and present, is discussed separately. 


1. Westralunio carteri (Fig. 2). 



This clam has a large, robust shell up to 8 cm long, with a rounded- 
oblong outline, a dark brown outer surface and a nacreous interior. The 
animals are active substrate burrowers and feed on detritus and micro¬ 
organisms filtered from internally circulated water. Reproduction in W. 
carteri has not been studied but presumably resembles that in other hyriid 
species (McMichael and Hiscock, ibid.). In these, the sexes are separate 
and fertilization is internal, the young larvae being discharged from the 
female as free-swimming glochidia, which must locate and temporarily 
parasitize a telcost fish. On completion of larval growth, the young clams 
leave the fish to adopt a burrowing habit in the substrate. 

W. carteri is the only naiad to occur in south-western Australia and 
inhabits (mainly) river pools from the Moore south to about the Kalgan. 
It is usually a common and conspicuous element of stream faunas. The 
complete absence of any record of the species from the Avon since the 
1840s, cither in publications or scientific collections, seemed anomalous, 
prompting concern for its status there. Regrettably, this concern appears 
to be well founded for W. carteri now seems to have disappeared or become 
rare at places along the Avon where it used to be common only a few 
decades ago. 

In April 1973, Mr. Brian M. Clifton of “Gwambygine”, between 
York and Beverley, told me that in his younger days around 1912, W. carteri 
was common in Gwambygine Pool but that a decline became evident during 
the 1940s, the last specimen being seen there by him around 1950. The 
freshwater catfish or cobbler, Tandanus bostocki, declined similarly, the 
last at Gwambygine Pool to his knowledge being caught in the 1950s. 
This may be significant in view of the reproductive dependence of the 
naiad on fish. 

Mr. James Masters of “Glen Avon”, between Northam and Toodyay, 
informed me (personal communication, April 1973) that W. carteri was 
fairly common in pools there from 1924 to 1930. Large numbers of shells 
were evident after winter runs of the river until about 1947 but declined 
noticeably from then until about 1960. A single dead but fresh specimen 
was noticed at the Glen Avon Pool in 1971 and odd fragments have been 
seen occasionally since. He concludes (ibid.) that “from the rarity of old 
shells here, the creature exists in extremely small numbers nowadays”. 
Mr. Masters had noted that the Black Bittern, Dupetor flavicollis, had 
apparently disappeared from the river there since 1952 and had ceased to 
breed locally by about 1948. The preferred diet of this bird comprised 
naiads and the Jilgie, Cherax quinquecarinatus. Over the same period, 


99 


Jilgies had decreased greatly in the Avon, though still common in adjacent 
dams and soaks. This and other changes in bird life along the river have 
been discussed by Masters and Milhinch (1974). 

Similar observations have been provided by Mrs. M. Jefferys of 
“Spion Kop”, Toodyay, who recalled seeing naiads at the West Toodyay 
bridge and at Redbank Pool near Toodyay around the year 1930, but never 
since then (personal communication, 1971). 

In May 1971, several dead shells of W. carteri were found in the Avon 
on both sides of Toodyay by Mr. Dennis F. Pember and students of the 
Toodyay Junior High School. These specimens were presented to the Wes' 
tern Australian Museum, to become the first representation of the species 
from the Avon in the Museum’s collection. Further empty shells have since 
been found by Mr. Pember at another pool below Toodyay. These records 
seem to confirm Mr. Masters’ appraisal of the present status of the species 
below Northam. No living specimen has been reported from there for 
some years and the long term prospects of whatever population still survives 
in this tract of the Avon seem at best to be poor. 

Apart from Mr. Clifton’s recollections of Gwambygine Pool, nothing 
further is known about W. carteri in the Avon above Northam and, with 
one possible exception, extinction is indicated there and in all local tribu¬ 
taries. I have been informed separately by Mrs. N. I. Doncon and Mr. C. 
Bennett of Beverley that mussels were known by them to occur in Spring 
Pool, beside the Dale River some 16 km SSW from Beverley in 1968 and 
1958 respectively. In April 1973, assisted by Mr. Bennett, I visited Spring 
Pool but was unable to obtain positive evidence that W. carteri was still 
present. However the water was fresh and unpolluted and the species may 
well be living there. Subsequently Mrs. Doncon located a specimen of W. 
carteri collected at Spring Pool around 1960; this has been presented to 
the Western Australian Museum. If extant, the Spring Pool population may 
be the only survivors of W . carteri in the Avon System above Northam. 

I have occasionally found fragments of naiad shells in the Avon near the 
Wooroloo Brook confluence, but these may be derived from that tributary, 
where a small population of W. carteri occurs. 

The salinity tolerances of W. carteri and its host fishes are unknown 
but these may now be exceeded in water along most if not all of the Avon 
for a significant part of each year. Circumstantial evidence presented be¬ 
low (Figs 10, 11) suggests that raised salinity has been the principal cause 
of the catastrophic decline of the species since the 1940s. 


2. Anticorbula amai'a (Fig. 3). 



This is a small, brown, modioliform clam up to about 16 mm long, 
with a concave, slightly twisted ventral margin and a toothless hinge. It 
lives attached by byssal fibres to submerged wood, stones, coarse sand, 
etc., and presumably is a filter feeder. It inhabits the estuaries of south¬ 
eastern and south-western Australia and in the latter has been found tolerant 
of seawater (E. P. Hodgkin, personal communication, 1975). There are no 
wholly marine records and, considered as an estuarine species, A. amara 
should be regarded as a brackish-water element (Green, 1968). However in 
Western Australia, this species ranges far above the limits of tidal influ¬ 
ence, having been collected in the Avon as far upstream as Gwambygine 
Pool and in the Moore near “Cowalla”. 


100 


Mr. Masters (ibid.) considers that A. amara has become common in 
the Avon near his property only in recent years, being rare there during 
the 1930s. It seems not to have been collected by Preiss at York around 
1840, though now conspicuously abundant there. The evidence suggests 
that, since the turn of the century, A. amara has extended its range upstream 
from the Swan Estuary in response to changes in the river environment. 
Though present in the Swan near the Helena confluence, A. amara seems 
never to have become established in the latter stream, which has remained 
fresh throughout this period. 

Specimens presumably of A. amara were collected in the Swan Estuary 
at Guildford by the Hamburg Expedition in 1905 and are listed by Thiele 
(1930) under the name Modiolus (Fluviotanatus) subtortus (Dunker). Mc- 
Michael (1967) considers Fluviolanatus Iredale to be a synonym of Anti- 
corbula Dali. The anatomical characters of local specimens are unlike 
those of the Mylilidae (B. R. Wilson, personal communication, October 
1971); their affinities seem to lie with the Lyonsiidae. 

3. Potamopyrgus sp. (Fig. 4). 



This is a minute snail with a shell up to 4 mm high, dark brown, 
elongate-conical, with slightly convex, smooth whorls; operculum thin, 
corneous. Records are from streams in south-western Australia between 
the Moore and Frankland Rivers, it being found on submerged sticks, bark, 
stones, etc. In the Avon, Potamopyrgus sp. is known only from pools in 
the Walyunga National Park. These are situated in the Darling Range 
immediately below the confluence with the comparatively fresh Wooroloo 
Brook; records date only from 1969. It seems likely that this species 
once occurred more widely along the Avon and tributaries but positive 
evidence of this is lacking. 


4. Coxiella glabra (Fig. 5). 



One of the Salt Lake Snails (Macpherson, 1957), this species has a 
small, smooth, elevated, light brown shell, usually with a decollate spire 
and a height of up to 7 mm; occasional non-decollate shells may reach to 
11 mm. The operculum is corneous and thick. C. glabra inhabits saline to 
brackish lakes and streams from the Murchison district south into the 
central wheatbelt. From the Avon River System, it is known only from one 
sample collected in May 1958 from “a creek bed beside the Goomalling 
road 8 miles N of Jennacubbine”, evidently the north branch of the Mort- 
lock River. It is uncertain whether this record represents a long standing 
presence in the Mortlock or a recent extension of range from salt lakes 
in the district, such as Lake Ninan, in which C. glabra occurs and which 
connects with the Mortlock near Wongan Hills (Fig. 1). 


101 


5. Plotiopsis australis (Fig. 6). 



x 1.5 


This is a small to medium sized snail with a shell up to 30 mm high, 
the spire high, apex decollate, and with shouldered convex whorls, which 
usually bear both spiral and axial sculpture. The columella is thickened 
and the aperture roundly cut out at the base. It is coloured yellowish- 
brown, with or without reddish axial streaks; colours arc often concealed 
beneath a blackish-brown encrustation. The operculum is corneous, thick 
and dark brown. P. australis occurs in river pools generally throughout 
Western Australia south to the Avon. 

Since its discovery at York by Preiss around 1840, P. australis has 
not been recorded again from there or from any further-upstream locality: 
it has never been noticed by Mr. Clifton at Gwambygine Pool. Mr. Masters 
informs me (ibid.) that it “existed in extremely large numbers in Avon pools 
in this area (between Northam and Toodyay) until at least 1947 or 1948 
and could still be found ... to at least 1956”. So common was it during 
the 1920s that shells were bagged and fed to the farm poultry. In contrast, 
present populations along this section of river appear to be scattered and 
live specimens uncommon. Mr Masters estimates that P. australis and A- 
amara have changed inversely in abundance near “Glen Avon” over the 
past 50 years. 

In April 1973, I found numerous shells of P. australis in what remained 
of Burlong Pool, near Northam. All were dead and apparently only recently 
so; this appears to be the most-upstream record for the species since the 
time of Preiss. Living P. australis are still common in the Avon where it 
traverses the Darling Range, e.g., near the Wooroloo Brook confluence, and 
range downstream to Guildford. Elsewhere along the Avon, the species has 
declined in numbers and contracted downstream similarly to Wcstralunio 
carteri, though apparently later and to a somewhat lesser degree. The 
period of greatest decline seems to have been the 1950s. 


6. Physa sp. (Fig. 7). 



This is an introduced pond snail with a small, ovate, pale-brown shell, 
up to 14 mm high, sinistrally coiled, with a short, acute spire and smooth, 


102 


polished, translucent whorls. There is no operculum. The shell resembles 
that of the following species, Physastra sp., and reliable separation of the 
two depends on anatomical characters. The animal of Physa sp. has a series 
of finger-like processes along the mantle margin; seen through the shell, 
the mantle has a reticulate pattern and the blood is colourless. 

This appears to be an introduced species, first recorded from Western 
Australia at Perth in 1952 (Hubendick, 1955) and now acclimatized through¬ 
out much of the south-west of the State. It was collected from the Burlong 
railway dam near Northam in 1968 and from the Avon near the Wooroloo 
Brook confluence in 1969. Physa sp. is commonly kept in local aquaria and 
its acclimatization probably followed release from these. The Physidae 
were originally Holarctic in distribution and local stocks are probably 
derived from either Europe or North America. 

7. Physastra sp. (Fig. 8). 



Like the preceding species, this pond snail has a thin, sinistrally coiled 
shell but may reach a height of 28 mm. Fresh shells are usually a medium 
to pale shade of brown and are more opaque than those of Physa sp.; 
there is no operculum. The mantle margins are smooth, lacking processes 
and the blood is red. Physastra sp. is a common, generally distributed snail 
in fresh inland waters throughout south-western Australia. 

However the only known occurrence from the Avon system above the 
Darling Range is in Spring Pool near Beverley. This pool, which stands 
above and beside the main channel of the Dale River, holds fresh water. 
Physastra sp. has recently been collected from the Brockman River at 
Chittering and there is a sample in the W.A. Museum collection from “a 
soak near Beverley”, presented in 1950. Whether the species was ever gen¬ 
erally present along the Avon is uncertain but the evidence of these few 
peripheral occurrences, together with its general distribution elsewhere 
within the region, suggests that this was probably so. 

8. An ancylid freshwater limpet of minute size, up to 5 mm long and 
tentatively referred to the “form group” Ferrissia (Pettancyltis) petterdi 
(Johnston) after Hubendick (1967) occurs widely in lakes, streams and 
other water bodies of south-western Australia. There are no known records 
from the Avon, but this may reflect either the unobtrusive nature of the 
animal, or insufficient collecting, or a recent decline. Distribution records 
from the Western Australian Museum collection suggest that F. (P.) petterdi 
cither is or was probably part of the Avon fauna and justify its qualified 
inclusion in this summary. 

2. THE CONDITION OF THE AVON 
(a) THE AVON AS IT WAS 

The first Europeans to sight the Avon River did so in August 1830 
near the impending site of York. The weather was wintry and the river in 
flood. Their leader, Ensign Robert Dale, recorded in his journal (Dale, 
1833a) that “The water was discoloured and muddy with a rapid current and 


103 



enclosed between banks moderately clothed with trees and shrubs . No other 
reference was made to water quality. A later report (Dale, 1833b) refers to 
brackish and salt water pools in the upper reaches of the Avon during Octo¬ 
ber. Pools of varying salinity, from fresh to salt, along the Avon in 1836 are 
referred to by Bunbury (1930: 28, 32, 43, 50). 

The central Avon valley was one of the earliest districts to attract 
settlers from Perth. The first of these “set out in September 1831 to take 
possession of their grants. Soon all the river frontages from the present 
towns of Beverley to Northam were taken up . . .’ (Mouritz, 1956: 46). 
Private land extended “right into the river bed”, according to James 
(1893), a condition that generally prevails to this day. Early reports on 
the Avon lack chemical data but suggest that, even in the early years of 
European settlement, water quality varied perceptibly with time and place 
but this did not prevent its being used extensively by the settlers. Describing 
the Avon at Toodyay in the 1870s, Hammond (1936: 123) recalled that 
“The very fine pools of fresh water in the river in the summer time made 
the whole district suitable for raising stock of all kinds”. 

In a report to Parliament on water supplies along the Avon, James 
(1893) found the river water at York to be unsuitable for domestic pur¬ 
poses, particularly when in flood, because of overflow (presumably saline) 
water from lakes near the river's source: however a western tributary near 
York was found to have “remarkably pure water”. At the Mortlock con¬ 
fluence just below Northam, James noted that the Avon became saline 
and undrinkable. However w'ater in pools by Mt. Noondening (near “Glen 
Avon”, between Northam and Toodyay) was “fairly good, having a 
slightly sweet taste, quite suitable for house or stock purposes”. Burlong 
Pool was then “a vast sheet of water fully one third of a mile long. The 
river at this point has well defined, fairly high banks; this pool is now 
running full and the water is of excellent quality, quite suitable for domestic 
purposes, although it carries with it at this date (March 1893) a slight 
taste”. 

James quoted a local resident who had known Burlong Pool for 41 
years, i.e. since 1852, asserting that it had never been dry in that time 
“and with ordinary rain was perfectly fresh, pure water as it receives 
rain from Spencer’s Brook (six miles distant) and four other large tribu¬ 
taries, which make the Avon River drinkable at all seasons” (ibid.). 

Reports on the working of the Western Australian Government 
Railways for the years 1892-1902 show clearly the reliance of the Depart¬ 
ment during those years on water from the Avon River for steam locomo¬ 
tives operating out of Northam. The railway reached Northam in October 
1886; initial sources of water are not specified but during the period 1892- 
1895, the water service at the West Northam locomotive depot was con¬ 
nected by pipe with Burlong Pool, situated about 2 miles (3.2 km) upstream 
(Report for 1892-1895, pp. 9, 10). 

During 1896-1897, the Burlong Railway Dam was constructed on a 
minor tributary of the Avon, a little west of Burlong Pool and from then 
until the arrival of the Goldfields Water Scheme at Northam in April 1902, 
the railway drew on both the dam and pool for boiler water. For periods 
during the summers of 1896-1897 and 1897-1898, when dams dried up 
along the Eastern Goldfields line, Burlong Pool appears to have been the 
principal source of boiler water for locomotives operating east from 
Northam. 

No chemical data from analyses of Burlong Pool water over this period 
seem to have been preserved but railway boiler water was preferred to 
carry not more than 430 parts per million (30 grains per gallon) sodium 
chloride according to Simpson (1928), and could be accepted at no higher 
than 500 p.p.m. (35 g./g.) if necessary (Mr. H. Groom, personal communi¬ 
cation, May 1973). This may indicate an approximate upper level to salt 
concentration in Burlong Pool water during the 1890s. For domestic and 
stock purposes, such water would be regarded as fresh. 

In August 1894, at a time of acute pressure on the government to 
provide a reliable water supply for the Eastern Goldfields, a Mr. John 


104 


Maher applied to the Minister for Mines for rights to impound and pipe 
water from the tributaries of the Avon near Northam to Coolgardie. 
Maher’s letter appeared a month later in The West Australian of 17th 
September. An editorial on the following day, predictably cool toward the 
Maher scheme, referred to the Avon as “the source from which we shall 
draw the means for providing the many townships along its banks with 
water for general use. The municipalities have a lien on the waters of the 
Swan for their municipal wants. Moreover the owners of the fertile lands 
lying along the banks cherish expectations that by means of its pools 
irrigation will be made a cheap and simple matter for them”. A letter from 
a Maher supporter published on 29th September advocated a system of 
dams and weirs on the Avon. 

The Southern Cross Herald of 21st September 1894, supporting the 
Maher scheme, contended that “if the Avon near the Burralong (presumably 
Burlong) Pool, Northam, is dammed up, an inexhaustible supply of the 
precious fluid would be procurable”. On 28th September, this newspaper 
published an interview with Maher concerning his “Avon-Coolgardic Water 
Scheme”. Proposals in 1894 to dam the Avon near Toodyay and Northam 
are discussed by Erickson (1974: 317). 

The government adopted a proposal made by C. Y. O’Connor to dam 
the Helena River to supply the Goldfields and Maher did not proceed with 
his scheme. However these contemporary records show that towards the turn 
of the century, the Avon and its western tributaries, especially near Nor¬ 
tham, were regarded as acceptable sources of domestic, agricultural and 
industrial water. In the absence of positive mollusc records from this period, 
it is safe to assume that the fauna of the Avon was the same as that 
found by Preiss and Gilbert a half century earlier. Westralunio carteri and 
Plotiopsis australis were undoubtedly present in this fauna and probably 
Potamopyrgus sp., Physastra sp. and Ferrissia (Pettancylus) petterdi were 
likewise; at this time, Anticorbula anuira may have been confined to 
estuarine waters. 


(b) THE AVON TURNS SALT 

By the turn of the century, signs of deterioration in the condition 
of the Avon were appearing. Wood (1924) recalled that “about 1897, in 
the Northam-Toodyay district, I heard it suggested that destruction of the 
native vegetation turned the water in the creeks salt; and about 1904 I 
thought that 1 could see evidence of increase in salinity in the Goomalling 
Agricultural Area”. The connection between the clearing of catchments 
and salinity increase was also noted by E. S. Hume, Chief Mechanical 
Engineer, in the Report on the working of the Government Railways for 
the year 1908-9. 

From about 1893 to 1910, a steam-powered flour mill operated at 
Beverley, using boiler water from the Avon. The late Mr. A. Oliver of 
Beverley, whose father was manager, informed me (personal communica¬ 
tion, June 1973) that “salinity was an increasing problem from about 1907 
and . . . every few months there would be a shut down of the mill whilst 
my father and others removed salt encrustations from the boiler”. 

Upstream from Toodyay, the drainage basin of the Avon has been 
very extensively cleared for agriculture, probably to a greater extent and 
for a longer time than any other in Western Australia. Destruction of the 
original deep-rooted Eucalyptus-Acacia woodland and its replacement with 
shallow-rooted seasonal crops and pastures has raised the water table 
and greatly increased the salinity of stream discharge, here as elsewhere 
in south-western Australia (Mulcahy, 1973; Peck and Hurle, 1973). Na-F 
and Cl— are the predominant ions in the groundwater throughout the 
region. They are believed to have been derived largely from the rain as 
“cyclic salt” (Weller, 1928; Williams, 1967). Many Avon tributaries, espe¬ 
cially the smaller ones, have been entirely cleared of standing vegetation; 
others have been devegetated through salting following the clearing of the 
surrounding land. The extension of agriculture eastward from the Meck- 


105 


ering Line has increased the frequency of saline lake discharge into rivers 
including the Avon, thus further raising their salinity load (Mulcahy, 1973). 

I have not attempted to establish the proportion of the Avon catch¬ 
ment that has been cleared but present data on some agricultural shires, 
being representative “Avon country . to indicate the approximate degree 
to which this has proceeded. Rural land utilization statistics issued by the 
Bureau of Statistics show that by 1971-72 in the wholly agricultural shires 
of Goomalling, Cunderdin, Brookton and Quairading (taken together) 
about 85% of farming land had been cleared. Most of the remainder 
seems to have been used for stockgrazing and very little of the original 
woodland would now remain in an unmodified condition. The shires of 
Toodyay, Northam, York and Beverley retain forested water catchment 
areas in their western parts and, statistically, have higher proportions of 
uncleared land than the foregoing. However their agricultural eastern parts 
appear to have been cleared to a similar extent. Masters and Milhinch 
(1974) estimate that less than 5% of the area of Northam Shire remains 
in virgin condition. 

By 1932, it appears that salinity in the Avon at Northam had in¬ 
creased considerably over the preceding 30 years. An analysis by the 
Railway Department in August of that year showed 1,278 p.p.m. (90 gr./ 
gal.) of “salt”, a concentration more than double the accepted maximum 
for locomotive water. By contrast, the streams flowing into Burlong Dam 
at the same time averaged only 71 p.p.m. (5 gr./gal.) of “salt”. Older water 


2f> 


18 


16 


14 



E 


d 

d ic 

"c 

I 

C 


G 

/ 


// 


F/ 



Fig. 9.—Salinity levels (sodium chloride) in the Avon River and Bur- 
long railway dam, Northam, 1890-1973. A maximum acceptable level for 
locomotive boiler water (Simpson, 1928). B Burlong railway dam, August 
1932 (winter). Source W.A.G.R. C Burlong railway dam, January 1941 
(summer). Source W.A.G.R. D Burlong Pool, August 1932. Source 
W.A.G.R. E Avon R. above Mortlock confluence, August 1972 (winter). 
Source P.W.D. F Burlong Pool, January 1941. Source W.A.G.R. G Avon R. 
above Mortlock confluence, April 1973 (autumn), Source P.W.D. 


106 






drawn from the bottom of the dam carried 162 p.p.m. (11.4 gr./gal.). These 
tests were repeated by the Department in January 1941; Burlong Pool 
water then contained 9,734 p.p.m. (685.5 gr./gal.) of “alkaline chlorides” 
and drew the comment from the analyst that “This water is quite unsuitable 
even for boiler washout purposes”. Again, by contrast, Burlong Dam water 
sampled a few weeks earlier contained only 256 p.p.m. (18.04 gr /gal.) of 
“alkaline chlorides” (Mr. H. Groom, personal communication, May 1973). 

These data, from Railway Department records, point to rapidly diverg¬ 
ing salinity levels over the decade 1932-1941 between Burlong Dam and 
Burlong Pool. The low concentrations from the dam on these two occasions 
lend credence to the subjective impressions of James (ibid.) on the purity 
of water from the Avon’s western tributaries in the 1890s. 

Concentrations of sodium chloride in Avon water at Northam (from 
a site above the Mortlock confluence and presumably comparable with 
Burlong Pool water) determined by the Public Works Department for the 
period November 1971 to May 1973 range from 4,850 p.p.m. (328 gr./gal.) 
in August 1972 to a maximum of 17,800 p.p.m. (1,254 gr./gal.) in April 
1973. A combined graph of the abovementioned salinity data from gov¬ 
ernmental sources in Fig. 9 suggests the rate and timing of change in the 
composition of Avon water at Northam since the turn of the century. A 
substantial transformation had evidently set in by 1941 and a large part 
of this probably occurred during the preceding decade. 

On the timing of these events, some observations of Mr. Masters may 
provide further evidence. He has noted that from 1935-1944 no major 
flood from the eastern wheatbelt lake system entered the Avon, the floods 
of 1939 and 1943 originating in the relatively fresh western watershed. The 
major floods of 1945 and 1946 were the first occasion for over 10 years, 
when the wheatbelt lakes overflowed, discharging a large quantity of salt 
accumulated there in the wake of the post-1920 agricultural development 
of the region. Hydrologic and other deterioration of the Avon was inten¬ 
sified as a result of these two floods (pers. comm., Dec. 1975). 

Mi. Masters has kindly made available some data (Fig. 10) on salinity 
of river water near his property. He writes: “Water salinities in the major 
pools between 1930 and 1944, at least between Northam and Toodyay, 


/c 


Plotiopsis australis 
common up to 1950's. 


Westralunio carteri 
common up to 1947 


*>/ 

/ 


/ 




1920 1030 1940 1950 I 960 1970 

yean 


Fig. 10. Approximate range of salinity levels (“total salts”) in Glen 
Avon Pool, between Northam and Toodyay, 1930-1970. A-C dry season 
levels. B-D wet season levels. Onset of crises affecting 2 species of molluscs 
shown by arrows. 


107 









ranged between about 1420 and 3550 p.p.m. (100 and 250 gr./gal.) total 
salts during the course of each year. Since about 1950, this pool at 
“Glen Avon”, at least, has a range of salinity of about 2,840 p.p.m. (200 
gr./gal.) in flood to as high as 12,780 p.p.m. (900 gr./gal.) at the end 
of a long dry summer, and the higher figure is usually reached in years 
when lakes from the inland wheatbelt have overflowed strongly into the 
spring months. This year (March 1973), without any inflow from the 
eastern lake system, the salt content at the moment is approximately 6,390 
p.p.m. (450 gr./gal.) and this is the usual characteristic of this pool in 
drier years without runoff from the eastern watershed”. 

The “Glen Avon” data are similar to those from Northam and indicate 
a direct cause and effect relationship between rising salinities and the 
observed changes in aquatic life along the Avon over the past half century. 
There is no evidence that this increasing rate of salt discharge has yet 
peaked. The continued presence of abundant Plotiopsis and Potamopyrgus 
in the lower Avon below Toodyay suggests that fresh water received from 
tributaries and seepage in the Darling Range provides some protection 
for these species in that part of the system. A salinity profile similar to 
that reported for the Blackwood River by Morrissey (1974) evidently 
exists within the Avon. 

(c) LIVESTOCK POLLUTION 

Contamination of ground and surface waters by animal wastes is an 
acknowledged pollution hazard in some parts of the world, notably North 
America, where intensive livestock farming is widespread, but has received 
little attention to date in Australia (Boughton, 1970). The havoc which it 
can inflict on aquatic life under certain conditions is shown by some 
recent experiences along the Avon. 

Early in February 1971, a tropical cyclone brought heavy local rain 
to the Toodyay district, a good deal of which ran quickly off the dry 
paddocks and into the Avon. Much organic material, including animal 
waste, was washed into the pools. About a week later, the press reported 
that an estimated 1,000 fish, mostly Cobblers, and some Jilgies had been 
found dead in Redbank Pool. This was attributed to oxygen depletion of 
the water and presumably eutrophication ( The West Australian, 9th Feb¬ 
ruary, 1971, p. 5). 

A similar sequence of events, probably in the wake of the same 
cyclone, was observed by Mr. V. Thorbjornsen of Northam. Here, heavy 
rain on adjacent dry paddocks washed a large quantity of organic material 
into Burlong Pool so as to virtually blanket the surface with a floating 
mass, mainly sheep manure. The water turned dark and smelly and dead 
fish appeared along the banks (personal communication, April 1973). 

At the beginning of April 1973, accompanied by Messrs. A. Oliver 
and C. Bennett of Beverley, I visited a section of the Dale River near 
Mile and Reserve Pools, SSW of Beverley. No rain had fallen in the 
district for some time but nevertheless a small flow of clean, slightly 
brackish but potable water was moving through Reserve Pool. This pro¬ 
bably originated from springs located upstream near Spring Pool. Fish and 
other fauna were evident in the pool, though no molluscs were seen. One 
week later a thunderstorm brought the first autumn rains to the district, 
with heavy local showers. 

On a return visit one week after the rain and two weeks after my 
first visit, I found the same stretch of river grossly polluted. The water 
was dark brown and smelt strongly of animal waste, evidently sheep manure. 
Between Reserve and Spring Pools the banks were strewn with dead and 
apparently dying Nightfish (Bostockia porosa) and Pigmy Perch (Edelia 
vittata). A Jilgie, without chelae, presumably as a result of stress, was 
taken from the water. At Mile Pool, vast numbers of dead and dying 
shrimps (Palaemonetes australis) littered the banks. Others were swimming 
erratically on the surface at the water’s edge, some leaping out to join those 
on the banks. Presumably this behaviour was in response to the fouled 
condition of the water. 


108 


These three episodes, involving catastrophic destruction of fauna, 
point to a second major threat to the biota of the Avon, or that part of 
it that has been able to tolerate prevailing salinities. The observations cited 
relate only to small sections of the river system but the ingredients are 
ubiquitous and it is reasonable to believe that such events now occur 
regularly along much of the Avon and tributaries during the summer- 
autumn months. This is the time of year when the fauna would probably 
be under greatest stress from the effect of raised salinities. 

Since the 1830s, the Avon pools have been used for the watering of 
livestock, particularly in the dry season, and in earlier periods of low stock 
density and salinity little if any harm would have been done to the 
aquatic environment and biota. Over the last 30 years, however, since the 
introduction of subterranean clover and other innovations, the sheep popu¬ 
lation of the Avon districts has risen about three-fold (Bureau of Statistics 
data) and no doubt total stock density on the river and adjoining land 
has increased substantially over this period. No figures are available, but 
the quantity of animal waste deposited during a dry season in the main 
and tributary channels and adjacent land must be considerable. The sudden 
reactivation of this material by summer or autumn rains can lead to crises 
of deoxygenation and eutrophication in the pools, which are the dry 
season refuges for the fauna. 

The traditional practice of permitting livestock generous access to 
the pools, channel and banks of the Avon and its tributaries, initiated in 
a bygone age of low stock densities and relatively fresh water, should now 
be reappraised in the light of its apparent significant contribution to the 
advanced degradation of the river environment. 

It is conceded that the above comments are largely intuitive and lack 
the authority that would derive from a series of more representative, con¬ 
trolled observations; however their relevance to the overall problem of the 
ecologic stability of the Avon is undeniable. The uncertainties that exist 
in relation to this question only emphasize the fact that no authoritative 
investigation into the combined effect of increased salinity and animal 
waste pollution on river biotas has ever been undertaken in Western 
Australia. Other potential sources of river pollution, less amenable to 
direct observation, include chemical fertilizers used to excess, weedicides 
and pesticides, but nothing is known of their presence in the Avon and 
effects, if any, on the biota. 

(d) A RIVER OF SAND 

In its mature middle section the bed of the Avon originally comprised 
alternate deeps and shallows which, in the dry season, took the form of 
stable, permanent pools separated by dry sandy channels. The latter sup¬ 
ported a substantial growth of trees, bushes and other vegetation, notably 
species of Casuarina, Melaleuca and Eucalyptus, the roots of which, to¬ 
gether with a great quantity of surficial and buried woody debris, served to 
stabilize the substrate. Though no data are available on which to base 
precise comparisons, there can be little doubt that the near-total clearing 
of the catchment has substantially increased the concentration and pro¬ 
bably also the volume of surface runoff after rain. These factors have pro¬ 
bably intensified the erosion of sediment, particularly from higher land, 
and contributed significantly to the accumulation of sand in the bed. The 
continual access of livestock to the banks, channel and tributaries is likely 
to have aggravated this process. 

The Avon towns were initially laid out at a time when the discharge 
characteristics of the river, unmodified by man. were poorly understood. 
Old Toodyay, located in close proximity to the Avon, had to be abandoned 
in favour of the present site following a sequence of floods of growing 
severity through the 1840s and 50s (Erickson, 1974). Buildings were 
flooded in Northam as early as 1862, but the example of Old Toodyay, 
based on recognition of the need to give the river adequate room, seems 
not to have been followed and the town centre was allowed to develop 


109 


with the protection of a levee on flood-prone land. The inevitable crisis 
arrived in 1955, when much of central Northam was inundated following 
heavy cyclonic rain. This seems to have been the last occasion on which 
some relatively inexpensive reorganization of the town to accommodate the 
river might have been entertained. Regrettably, however, an opposite policy 
was adopted. 

In 1956, the government of the day (the Premier being the Member 
for Northam) initiated the “Avon River Training Scheme”, which sought 
to improve the river’s flood discharge capacity by the mechanical removal 
of sediment and vegetation from the channel between Toodyay and 
Brookton. This operation, seemingly of indefinite duration, has been con¬ 
fined to the main channel, that is, the area where the symptoms of hydro- 
logic and sedimcntologic instability are most concentrated and without 
regard for those parts of the catchment where the underlying problems of 
concentrated runoff and erosion arc generated. Whatever the reasons, it 
is evident that the channel substrate has become less rather than more 
stabilized and this has given rise to public misgivings as to the merits of 
the scheme. 

Over its 20 years of operation, no official evaluation of the “training 
scheme” has been released but it is clear that one major negative conse¬ 
quence has been the creation of a large body of unstable sand in the 
channel between York and Toodyay. Some once-permanent pools have 
been buried by this sand and others partly so, including the once extensive 
and deep Burlong Pool (see newspaper references, Daily News and West 
Australian). Without some new initiative, it seems that the obliteration 
of most if not all of the pools in the Northam district is only a matter of 
time. In the past, the pools served as summer refugia for aquatic life. 
Now not only the fauna but the very existence of the pools, once regarded 
as among the district’s greatest assets, is in jeopardy. TTieir loss would con¬ 
stitute a further major step in the degradation of the initially fragile riverine 
environment of the region. If the aim of the “training scheme” was to 
convert the central Avon into a mere agricultural storm-water drain, then 
by this narrow engineering premise it could be regarded as a qualified (as 
yet untested) success, apart from being financially wasteful and unnecessary. 
But as an operation aimed at river conservation, its effect has been dis¬ 
astrous. The scheme was initiated and pursued without regard for the 
need for any biological investigation of the Avon and it is probable that 
part of the biota has now been irrevocably lost as a direct consequence. 

The changes to parts of the Avon associated with the “training scheme” 
are drastic and visibly conspicuous and therefore disturbing to those who 
knew the river in better times. However it should be realized that these 
changes are only the most recent episode in a process of accelerating mul¬ 
tiple disturbance to the river’s ecosystem that has been operating since before 
the turn of the century. 


3. WANTED: A NEW APPROACH 

The old Avon, together with the woodlands that sustained it, is gone 
for ever; agricultural development of the catchment has brought permanent, 
irreversible changes to the region. The river’s present and future need 
seems to be for an informed, conservation-management policy that will 
progressively establish a degree of stability and harmony with its man-made 
environment and at the same time conserve and restore as much as possible 
of the original riverine flora and fauna. Any further change would need 
to be of a kind beneficial to the river environment. (Indeed a cynic might 
argue that little more could now be done to harm the river, intentionally 
or otherwise). Our readiness to see it in such a way should be helped by 
the realization that the Avon, once an economic and recreational asset, 
has been transformed into a financial and environmental liability; a sta¬ 
bilized, restored Avon would mean, in time, a better human environment 
for the district. A new approach is indicated, but in practical terms are 
there any real alternatives to present practices and policies? There is little 


110 


cause for optimism in official and community attitudes; beyond the need 
to protect the towns from flooding, no aims have been defined, no expec¬ 
tations fostered. 

A listing of facile “solutions” to the problems of the Avon is not called 
for here. Before they could be considered, attitudes and values among all 
concerned parties would have to be established and clarified, the problems 
recognized and defined. However I propose to mention briefly some pos¬ 
sibly useful ideas on the subject in support of the view that there are 
alternatives to the present policy of attrition. 

Initially, data would need to be gathered on all aspects of the hydrology, 
sedimentology and biology of the Avon, its tributaries and the catchment 
generally, including land-use practices in the region. In particular, the 
system’s net rate of salt discharge (Peck and Hurle, 1973) could be assessed, 
as could the totality of factors that contribute to flooding. Innovations 
regarding salination and flood control, such as revegetation, could be 
devised. Soil erosion in the district is currently judged solely on agricultural 
criteria; whether these arc also adequate to protect the Avon from ex¬ 
cessive long-term sand accumulation may be relevant. Further implemen¬ 
tation of the “training scheme” should be stopped and the effort thus 
saved diverted into the search for more enlightened and comprehensive 
policies of river management. At the same time, the Northam levee system 
should be improved. Flood-prone areas of this and other towns could be 
proclaimed and all new building in them prohibited, a measure that is at 
least a century overdue. 

In the past, the Avon pools were important for the watering of live¬ 
stock, but now this is often no longer feasible and in general no longer 
necessary. Most farms in the district now have access to reticulated water 
from the Darling Range and with this alternative source available, or 
potentially so, it may be time to propose the future exclusion of livestock 
from the river and major tributaries. Studies of the effect of livestock 
trampling on the sedimentologic stability of channels and banks, as well 
as the effects of animal waste pollution on aquatic life seem to be desirable. 
An attempt at a comprehensive biological survey of the Avon could be 
made and a policy adopted for a regular monitoring of the biota. 

In the wheatbelt communities of Western Australia there is now 
some recognition, even regret, that the region was cleared to excess. With 
regard to this sentiment and to the conservation needs of the Avon, a 
case could be made for a study of ways and means whereby a special Avon 
River Reserve or even National Park could be established, comprising the 
channel, banks and a generous width of land on both sides. This could 
comprise both public and privately owned land, the former created by 
purchase, the latter by voluntary concession; for the loss of productive land 
in the latter case, compensation borne by the State would be justified. 
Such a reserve, a long-term project, would need to be fenced to exclude 
livestock; channel sands could be re-stabilized and pool formation assisted 
where possible. Native vegetation could be restored. Animal vermin would 
need to be controlled and noxious and aggressive weeds excluded. The 
reserve could be extended progressively out from the main channel and 
along the larger tributaries. 

The Avon’s problems arc complex and regional in scope; their ameliora¬ 
tion in ways that would lead to the restoration of the river, rather than 
its further degradation, would seem to require the combined resources of 
private individuals and organizations as well as governments at all levels. 
A managerial body with an overview of the total situation, on which local 
communities would be directly represented, would be essential for continuity 
and effective action. 

Returning to the real world, there can be few who would be surprised 
if the future of the Avon turned out to have little or no resemblance to 
the scenario lightly sketched above. However the central issue of the pro¬ 
tection of the integrity of river environments in south-western Australia 
cannot be concealed much longer, for although the Avon is the most 


111 


degraded of our rivers, it is not the only one so affected. There is faunal 
and other evidence that the Moore has been overtaken by a hydrologic 
crisis since the 1960s; others, such as the Murray, Collie and Blackwood 
are becoming increasingly affected by salination. The conflicting interests 
of water conservation, nature conservation, agriculture, bauxite mining and 
wood-chipping, aggravated by the spread of die-back disease, will not be 
easily resolved and constitute a problem of unprecedented magnitude. Rec¬ 
ognition that our freshwater faunas are threatened has been late in coming: 
that their preservation is directly linked with the stability of our water 
catchments and hence with the future basic needs of urban and rural com¬ 
munities in south-western Australia may yet swing the balance in favour 
of more effective conservation measures on behalf of our limited fresh¬ 
water resources. If the example of the Avon serves only to create more 
concern for the fate of the rivers in the region, its destruction will not have 
been completely in vain. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

Thanks are due to the Under Secretary for Works, Public Works 
Department and to the Acting Secretary for Railways, Western Australian 
Government Railways, for permission to publish data from the Depart¬ 
ment’s records. I am deeply grateful to Mrs. M. Jefferys and Mr. D. F. 
Pember of Toodyay, to Messrs. J. Masters, L. Milhinch and V. Thorb- 
jornsen of Northam, Mr. B. M. Clifton of Gwambyginc and the late Mr. A. 
Oliver, Mrs. C. Bennett and Mrs. N. I. Doncon of Beverley for the col¬ 
lection of specimens and much information not otherwise available, and 
for hospitality and practical assistance in the field. Mr. B. J. Fleay provided 
valued discussion on a range of topics. I thank Dr. B. R. Wilson for access 
to the mollusc collection of the Western Australian Museum. Drawings of 
shells were executed by Lesley J. Fleay; other figures by Mrs. R. Henderson. 

REFERENCES 

BETTENAY, E. and MULCAHY, M. J. 1972. Soil and landscape studies 
in Western Australia. 2. Valley form and surface features of the South 
West Drainage Division. Journal of the Geological Society of Australia, 
18: 359-369. 

BOUGHTON, W. C. 1970. Effects of land management on quantity and 
quality of available water. Report No. 120. Australian Water Resources 
Council Research Project 68/2. 

BROT, A. L. 1862. Materiaux pour servir a Vetude de la famille dcs 
Melaniens. I. Catalogue systematique des especes qui composent la 
famille des Melaniens. Geneva. 72 pp. 

BUNBURY, H. W. 1930. Early days in Western Australia. London. Oxford 
University Press. 

DAILY NEWS, Aug. 7, 1972, p. 7. “PWD blames farm clearing for sand”. 

Mar. 28, 1973, p. 5. “Put teeth in river protection”. 

DALE, R. 1833a. Journal of an expedition ... to the eastward of the 
Darling Mountains. In Journals of Several Expeditions made in Western 
Australia . . . London. J. Cross. Pp. 51-61. 

DALE, R. 1833b. Letters giving a summary description of the Country 
passed over in going to Mount Bakcwell . . . loc. cit. Pp. 155-160. 
DANCE, S. P. 1966. Shell collecting. London. Faber and Faber. 
ERICKSON. R. 1974. Old Toodyay and Newcastle. Toodyay Shire Council. 
GLAUERT, L. 1948. The ornithological collecting of Dr. L. Prciss in 1839. 

The Western Australian Naturalist, 1: 147-148. 

GREEN, J. 1968. The biology of estuarine animals. Seattle. University of 
Washington. 

HAMMOND, J. E. 1936. Western Pioneers. Perth. Imperial Print. 

HEDLEY, C. 1916. A preliminary index of the Mollusca of Western Aus¬ 
tralia. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 1: 152-226. 
HUBENDICK. B. 1955. On a small material of freshwater molluscs col¬ 
lected by Professor T. Gislen in Australia. Lunds Universitets Arsskrift. 

N. F., 51: 1-11. 


112 


HUBEND1CK, B. 1967. Studies on Ancylidae. The Australian, Pacific and 
Neotropical Form-groups. Acta Regiae Societatis Scientiarum et Lit - 
terarum Gothburgensis . Zoological. 

JAMES, J. W. 1893. Report on the conservation of water, Avon Valley, 
Darling Range and watershed, Swan River. In Votes and Proceedings 
of the Parliament, Western Australia, 1893. Paper A15. 

MAIN, A. R. 1968. A guide for naturalists. Perth. Western Australian 
Naturalists 1 Club. Handbook No. 4. Second edition, revised by D. 
H. Edward. 

McMICHAEL, D. F. 1967. Australian freshwater Mollusca and their 
probable evolutionary relationships: a summary of present knowledge. 
In Weatherley, A. H., editor. Australian inland waters and their fauna 
Canberra. Australian National University Press. 

McMICHAEL, D. F. and H1SCOCK, I. D. 1958. A monograph of the 
freshwater mussels (Mollusca: Pelecypoda) of the Australian region. 
Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 9: 372-508. 

MACPHERSON, J. H. 1957. A review of the genus Coxiella Smith, 1894, 
sensu lato. The Western Australian Naturalist, 5: 191-204. 

MASTERS, J. R. and M1LH1NCH, A. L. 1974. Birds of the Shire of 
Northam, about 100 km east of Perth, W.A. The Emu, 74: 228-244. 

MENKE, C. T. 1843. Molluscorum Novae Hollandiae. Hanover. 

MORRISSEY, N. M. 1974. Reversed longitudinal salinity profile of a major 
river in the southwest of Western Australia. Australian Journal of Mar¬ 
ine and Freshwater Research , 25: 327-335. 

MOURITZ, N. E. 1956. History of agriculture, Western Australia. Unpub¬ 
lished M.Sc. Thesis, University of Western Australia. Battye Library, 
Perth. 

MULCAHY, M. J. 1967. Landscapes, laterites and soils in south western 
Australia. In Jennings, J. N. and Mabbutt, J. A., editors. Land form 
studies from Australia and New Guinea. Canberra. Australian National 
University Press. 

MULCAHY, M. J. 1973. Land forms and soils of south western Australia. 
Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 56: 16-22. 

PECK, A. J. and HURLE, D. H. 1973. Chloride balance of some farmed 
and forested catchments in southwestern Australia. Water Resources 
Research, 9: 648-657. 

SIMPSON, E. S. 1928. Problems of water supply in Western Australia. 
Report of the Eighteenth Meeting of the Australasian Association for 
the Advancement of Science, Perth. 

THIELE, J. 1930. Gastropoda und Bivalvia. In Michaelsen, W. and Hart- 
meyer, R., editors. Die fauna Siulwest-Australiens. 5. Jena. G. Fischer. 

WELLER, W. K. 1928. Note on the salinity in the Mundaring Reservoir. 
Report of the Eighteenth Meeting of the Australasian Association for 
the Advancement of Science, Perth. 

WEST AUSTRALIAN. Feb. 9, 1971, p. 5. “Pollution may have killed 
fish”. Aug. 3, 1972, p. 9. “Perth Water worry over Avon clearing”. 
Nov. 8, 1972, p. 3. “Avon beauty spot lost as silt piles up”. Dec. 22, 
1972, p. 3. “Dr. O'Brien to look at river sand”. Jan. 27, 1973, p. 15. 
“Damage to river may be studied”. Feb. 14, 1973, p. 5. “Avon River 
project resumed”. Mar. 3, 1973. “Town wants rapids for Avon River’. 
Mar. 22. 1973, p. 7. “Studies could stop the Avon silting controversy”. 
Dec. 12, 1973. “Way to cut Avon silting sought”. Dec. 15, 1973, p. 11. 
“Flooding tipped if Avon not cleared”. Dec. 22, 1973, p. 5. “Flood 
prevention on Avon River” (letter from N. Fernie). Jan. 29, 1974. 
Reply from C. J. Jamieson. Feb. 11, 1974. Reply from N. Fernie. 

WHITTELL, H. M. 1954. The literature of Australian birds. Perth. Pater¬ 
son, Brokensha. . 

WILLIAMS. W. D. 1967. The chemical characteristics of lentic surface 
waters in Australia. In Weatherley, A. H., editor. Australian inland 
waters and their fauna. Canberra. Australian National University Press. 

WOOD, W. E. 1924. Increase of salt in soil and streams following the 
destruction of the native vegetation. Journal of the Royal Society of 
Western Australia, 10: 35-47. 


113 


TABLE 1.—SYNOPSIS OF APPARENT OR INFERRED CHANGES IN THE OCCURRENCE 
AND DISTRIBUTION OF MOLLUSCS IN THE AVON RIVER, 1840-1975. 


Species 

Past status 

Present status 

1. Westralunio 
carteri 

Originally common and widespread 
In pools above York, common up 
to the 1940s, then in decline; last 
seen about 1950 in Gwambygine 
Pool. Between Toodyay and North- 
am common up to about 1947, in 
decline to about 1960, subsequently 
rare. 

Probably extinct above Northam ex¬ 
cept for remnant population in 
Spring Pool, by Dale River. Below 
Northam rare, perhaps close to ex¬ 
tinction. Present but uncommon in 
Wooroloo Brook, 1971. 

2. Antlcorbula 
amara 

Prior to 1900 probably wholly es¬ 
tuarine. Below Northam rare in the 
1920s, increasingly abundant since. 

Common in the Swan estuary and 
abundant upstream to beyond York. 

3. Potamopyrgus 
sp. 

Unknown; possibly once widespread. 

Living near the Wooroloo Brook 
confluence since 1969. 

4. Coxiella 
glabra 

Unknown but may have boen ori¬ 
ginally restricted to saline/brackish 
lakes in the northern headwaters of 
the drainage basin; present in the 
Mortlock (North Branch), 1958. 

No records since 1958. 

5. P/otiopsis 
australis 

Originally common and widespread 
at least upstream to York, but not 
reported from there since about 
1840. Between Northam-Toodyay. 
common up to the 1950s; subse¬ 
quently in decline there. 

Probably extinct from York up¬ 
stream; recently living in Burlong 
Pool but now possibly extinct be¬ 
tween Northam and York. Uncom¬ 
mon between Northam-Toodyay. 
Common in Darling Range, notably 
around Wooroloo Brook confluence 
and downstream to Guildford. 

6. Physa sp. 

Introduced species. 

In Burlong railway dam, 1968; in 
Avon near Wooroloo Brook conflu¬ 
ence, 1969. 

7. Physastra sp. 

Unknown but probably once wide¬ 
spread. Collected in 1950 from 
"soak near Beverley". 

In Brockman River and in Spring 
Pool by Dale River. 

8. Ferrissia 
(Pettancylus) 
petterdl 

Unknown; past presence inferred. 

Unknown; recent decline or extinc¬ 
tion possible. 


NEW BREEDING RECORDS OF THE BANDED STILT IN 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 

By NICHOLAS KOLICHIS, Osborne Park 

C. F. H. Jenkins (1975) has given a brief summary of the remarkable 
history of discovery of the nesting habits of the Banded Stilt (Cladorhynchus 
leucocephalus) in inland salt lakes, and of the latest record, at Lake 
Ballard, near Menzies, in 1973. 

Some additional early nesting records, attempted and actual, not 
cited by Mr. Jenkins, may be mentioned. 

On November 8, 1960 in the Yalgoo district Ivan Carnaby found 
40-50 depressions in preparation for nesting by this species on an island 
in Wagga Wagga Lake, but when he and P. J. Fuller (1963) returned on 
November 26 nesting had been abandoned, presumably because the lakes 
were drying. About 400 Banded Stilts were present on both visits. 

On August 11-17, 1971 Mr. W. H. Butler (pers. comm.) saw a flock 
of Banded Stilts, adults and young, at a claypan 30 km south of Durba 
Spring on the Canning Stock Route and others at a claypan 5 km north 
of Well No. 11. He collected an immature specimen (now in the American 
Museum of Natural History, New York). Presumably they had nested 
nearby, probably at Lake Disappointment. This lake would have been 
filled by heavy rain in May of that year. 

In July 1974 Mr. A. Middleton (pers. comm.), while a resident 
at Menzies, saw a large number of chicks and adult Banded Stilts on the 


114 















eastern end of Lake Ballard but he did not see any actual breeding. As 
reported in Mr. Jenkins’s article Mr. Middleton had discovered nesting 
at this lake in the previous year and had forwarded newly hatched chicks 
to the South Perth Zoological Gardens. 

In September 1975 the Western Australian Museum received frag¬ 
ments of sub-fossilised eggs of the Banded Stilt from the Geological 
Survey of Western Australia. These had been found partly buried in clay 
in the Percival Lakes (Lat. 21° 22* S. Long. 124° 44’ E). The shells were 
still pigmented and were evidently of recent age. 



Fig. 1.—Nesting islet on Lake Marmion (resembling reversed figure “3”). 


OBSERVATIONS IN 1975 

On April 6-7, 1975, Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Wells saw a flock of about 
3,000 adult Banded Stilts at the eastern end of Lake Ballard, and during 
the nights while camped in this vicinity heard stilts continuously flying 
overhead until midnight. The water in the lake was about 30 cm deep 
and appeared to have an abundance of small fish and brine shrimps. 

Mr. Wells’s information stimulated me to search for breeding colonies. 
Consequently Mr. J. B. Woods and I chartered a plane on May 26, 1975, 
and flew over the lakes between Kalgoorlic and Menzics. At Lake Goon- 
garrie, 86 km north of Kalgoorlie, a flock of about 1,000 Banded Stilts 
were observed feeding in the shallow water but no nesting was found. 

At Lake Ballard, a vast sheet of water some 65 km long and 15 km 
wide, there were literally hundreds of islands varying in shape and size. 
In shallow water on the north-eastern end, several thousand Banded Stilts 
were scattered in about 20 groups over an area of approximately 3 km in 
diameter. As the aircraft approached the birds the adults flew off leaving 
behind hundreds of large flightless young which huddled closely together. 
As soon as the aircraft had passed over the adult birds returned to their 
young. After passing over most of the islands in the lake we located those 
on which the birds were nesting. These were two sandy islands about 10 
metres apart in shallow' water about 300 metres from the north-eastern 
shore of the lake. The smaller of the islands had no vegetation and was 
completely covered in empty nest scrapes. The other was a flat, wide, 


115 





Fig. 2.—Rookery on Lake Marmion. 


arc-shaped island with some scattered samphire hushes on the northern 
end, and two-thirds were covered with nests containing one to three eggs. 
These nests were presumed to have been abandoned because the eggs were 
partly buried in sand and no birds were seen in attendance. Possibly the 
receding water allowed mammal-predators to cross to the island or the 
eggs were infertile and abandoned remnants of successful breeding because 
numerous young birds were on the lake. 

At Lake Marmion, we saw Banded Stilts on the water in small 
groups varying from three young with two adults to about 40 young with 
six to nine adults and eventually we saw a large colony of birds leaving an 
island. As the aircraft flew closer these birds huddled together in shallow 
water off the edge of a rookery consisting of hundreds of scrapes with 
eggs. The birds returned to their nests as soon as we passed over the area. 

The colony at Lake Marmion was later surveyed from the ground. 
The nesting colony could not be seen from the lake shore. On walking 
to the rookery three flightless young stilts were captured while they were 
swimming in water 25 cm deep. They were white except for black wings 
and bill and dark greyish-black legs. As the rookery was approached we 
noticed that the smallest chicks were closest to the nesting area and the 
largest chicks were the furthest from the rookery, about 2 km away. The 
smaller chicks were covered with pure white down, their legs and bill 
being black. While several of the young were swimming they pecked at 
small black ostracod crustaceans floating on the surface of the water. 
Brine shrimps, the main food of adults, were not plentiful. One recently 
hatched chick was seen to leave its nest and huddle close to another chick 
in another nest nearby. 


RAINFALL 

Rain from tropical cyclone “Trixie” of February 17-24, 1975, filled 
these lakes. “Trixie” arose in the Cockatoo Island—Yampi Sound area 
and moved parallel to the coast before crossing inland just east of Onslow. 
It then moved southward to just east of Shark Bay and then moved 
south-eastwards into the Eastern Goldfields as a rain depression. Table 1 


116 









gives rainfall data for places in the Eastern Goldfields in the late summer 
and early autumn of 1975. Usually these centres Teceive an average monthly 
rainfall of only 15-30 mm during this period. 


TABLE 1.—MONTHLY RAINFALL IN MM 



JAN 

FEB 

MAR 

APR 

MAY 

Menzies . 

... 3 

242 

3 

38 

43 

Leonora . 

... 12 

237 

26 

63 

37 

Agnew . 

... NIL 

333 

30 

42 

57 

Sandstone . 

... NIL 

292 

43 

56 

41 

Cashmere Downs .... 

... 0.5 

299 

15 

72 

27 

Diemals . 

... NIL 

105 

26 

100 

25 

Laverton . 

.... NIL 

120 

( 

No Report 

) 


DESCRIPTION OF LOCALITY 

Lake Marmion is an ephemeral salt lake 32 km east of Menzies (130 
km north of Kalgoorlie). It is about 30 km long by 20 km wide. The 
nesting island was in the north-western part of the lake, and the nesting 
colony was on the north-eastern end of the island, about 7 km from the 
western shore. The island was long, narrow, and shaped like the numeral 
“3”, about 5 km long, 100 m wide and one metre above water, covered 
sparsely with samphire and short green grass, and with odd low mud 
spits along the edges. There was open water on the north side and high 
islands on the south side of this island, the closest island being about 
200 m from the rookery. Water about 40 cm deep surrounded the island 
and the water gradually became shallow towards the lake shore. The 
bottom of the lake was partly covered with soft mud up to 15 cm deep. 
The water was very salt. 



117 












DESCRIPTION OF COLONY AND NESTING 
A colony of approximately 2,500 nesting pairs covered an area of 
about one half a hectare, which was on a bare patch of sandy-clay soil 
on the island, 70 cm above water. The surface had a thin, dry but fairly 
hard crust, which, when broken, revealed a soft, fine, light reddish-brown 
subsoil. Only odd bushes of samphire were scattered over the nesting area. 
The nests were shallow scrapes in the ground, averaging 15 cm across 
by 3 cm deep and were placed 30-40 cm apart. There were patches of 
unused ground throughout the rookery. Eggs were laid on bare ground, 
except for odd nests with pieces of dry samphire and dry grass as lining. 
Clutch sizes varied from 1-5; 3 was most common, followed closely by 4; 
odd clutches of 5 were scattered through the rookery and clutches of 
1 and 2 were uncommon. Eggs varied considerably in colour, markings 
and shape, even within a clutch. The stage of incubation varied from fresh 
eggs to young recently hatched. Where there were breeding birds only odd 
nests contained addled eggs, but about 1,000 nests at the southern part 
of the rookery, where there were no birds, contained addled eggs partly 
buried in the ground. 

MORTALITY AND PREDATION 

About 300 small young dead in the rookery, and odd dead young, 
on the lake and outer shore were found. Three Whistling Eagles (Haliastur 
sphenurus) and several crows were seen flying round the rookery. A mouse 
was seen leaving a half dead chick with its scalp partly eaten and bleeding. 
Another 25-30 dead chicks were seen amongst the colony with their heads 
partly eaten. Only one adult was found dead; it was 200 m from the 
rookery. Adults were never seen feeding young birds, so possibly the high 



Fig. 4.—Eggs and chick in nest, Lake Marmion. 

— Photos N. Kolichis 


118 



mortality among young birds was due to starvation and exposure to cold 
nights. 

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION 
The Banded Stilt has now been found nesting, or attempted nesting, 
at Lake Grace, Lake King, Wagga Wagga Lake (Yalgoo), Lake Ballard, 
Lake Marmion, Lake Disappointment (probably) and the Percival Lakes 
in Western Australia, and Lake Callabonna in South Australia. The Per¬ 
cival Lakes are the northernmost known breeding locality of this species. 
These are ephemeral lakes which arc infrequently filled because very 
heavy rain is irregular, especially in arid areas. Numerous other inland 
lakes in the central parts of Australia are also presumably used for 
breeding if they contain islands and sufficient water and food (cf. Fuller, 
1963). Breeding is seldom discovered because these lakes arc numerous, 
large and difficult to survey from the ground, and often inaccessible. 

ACKNOWLEDGEM ENTS 

I wish to extend my thanks to Mr. J. B. Woods (Dowerin), who 
accompanied me on this trip. I am also grateful to Mr. and Mrs. A. G. 
Wells who informed me of the presence of these birds. My thanks also 
go to the Bureau of Meteorology for the information on rainfall in 
this area. To Mr. J. R. Ford and Dr. G. M. Storr (Western Australian 
Museum), I am very grateful for help in the preparation of this paper. 

REFERENCES 

CARNABY, I. C. 1946. A further nesting record of the Banded Stilt. Emu , 
46: 156-158. 

CARNABY, I. C. 1947. Nesting of the Banded Stilt. Emu, 47: 66-67. 
FULLER, P. J. 1963. Breeding of aquatic birds in mid-Western Australia. 
W. A ust. Nat., 9: 9-12. 

GLAUERT, L., and C. F. H. JENKINS. 1931. Notes on the Banded Stilt 
with a description of its eggs. Journ. Roy. Soc. W. A ust., 17: 1-6. 
JENKINS, C. F. H. 1975. Nesting of Banded Stilts at Lake Ballard. W. 
A ust. Nat., 13: 94-95. 

JONES, J. 1945. The Banded Stilt. Emu, 45: 1-36: 110-118. 

McGILP, J., and A. M. MORGAN. 1931. The nesting of the Banded Stilt. 
S. A ust. Ornithologist, 11: 37-53. 


THE NOISY SCRUB-BIRD — FACT AND FICTION 

By F. N. ROBINSON and G. T. SMITH 
INTRODUCTION 

This article has been prompted by the recent publication of incorrect 
and misleading information on the vocal abilities and habitat of the Noisy 
Scrub-bird, Atrichornis clamosus, (Macdonald, 1973; P. Slater, 1974). Be¬ 
cause the general standard of these texts is good, they will be widely 
used as a source of information and will consequently be considered 
authoritative. It is therefore essential that in correcting these inaccuracies 
their genesis is examined in some detail. 

The Noisy Scrub-bird was discovered in 1842 at Drakesbrook in 
the Darling Range. Between then and 1889 it was reported in other parts 
of the south-west corner of W.A.. from Boogidup creek, Augusta, Torbay. 
Albany (Servcnty and Whittell, 1967) and as far north of Albany as Mt. 
Barker (E. Slater, 1973 and pers. comm.). It was not sighted again until 
1961 when H. O. Webster re-discovered it at Two Peoples Bay near 
Albany (Webster, 1962a). It is therefore important to consider two gen¬ 
erations of data, namely that of the 19th century when the bird was 
widespread and that of the 20th century based on relatively few individuals 
at one location. 


119 



VOCAL BEHAVIOUR 

Five observers who had first-hand contact with the bird in the period 
from 1842 to 1889 have described the territorial song of the male. Thess 

are worth quoting. Drummond (1843) “.and singing sweetly with 

loud clear notes'’. Gilbert (in Whittell, 1951) “It .... utters its loud 

notes while on the ground.When I first heard its extraordinary 

loud notes, many of which are sweet and melodious.its notes 

are so exceedingly loud and shrill, as to produce a ringing sensation in 
the ears”. Masters (in Ramsay, 1866) noted ventriloquial ability, but made 
no mention of it being a mimic. Webb (1895) “Its note is loud and clear 
and piercing and sounds something like ‘Cheap, Cheap, Cheap, Cheap’. The 
first note is short, the second, third and fourth being each a little longer 
and lower”. Campbell (1901) “Its very peculiar loud note is a kind of 
sharp whistle repeated eight or nine times rapidly, with crescendo, con¬ 
cluding with a sharp crack that makes the woods resound”. 

The impression from these writers is of a loud, clear, almost musical 
(to some cars) song, but there is no mention of mimicry or of the monoto¬ 
nous repetition of a single note, either in their writings or in reviews by 
Whittell (1943) and Chisholm (1951). This is in marked contrast to the 
initial description of the song of the Rufous Scrub-bird (Atricharnis rufes- 
cens) discovered by Wilcox, who wrote (Ramsay, 1866) “I was almost 
inclined, although not superstitious, to think some evil spirit was playing 
me a trick, for at one moment it would give out ils own notes apparently 
just in front of me, and the next minute the Spine-tailed Orthonyx (O. 
spiniculata) in another direction; then the Scrub-robin’s note would be 
imitated in some other place . . . Jackson (1907) in describing his 


Fig. 1.—Noisy Scrub-bird, Atrichornis clamosus. Female standing on nest 
platform looking towards nest entrance. 

Photo G. T. Smith 


120 



first contact with the Rufous Scrub-bird in 1899 described it as “a great 
mimic”. 

Following the re-discovery of the Noisy Scrub-bird, Webster (1962a 
and b) noted of the song that “They were fairly long and were also loud 
and frequent” and . calls are so typical and so outstanding that 

once they are familiar to an observer, it is impossible to be mistaken 
when a call is heard”. Again no mention of mimicry. However, Serventy 


and Whittcll (1964) quote Webster as saying “.it is a superb mimic 

of the songs of other species living in its vicinity . . . Chisholm (1964) 


infers that the Noisy Scrub-bird mimics when he states, “Like its im¬ 
mediate relative, the Rufous Scrub-bird became revealed as ... . and 
frequent imitations of the voices of other birds”. Macdonald also (1973) 
writes “Loud, clear piercing ‘Cheap’ or ‘Chip’ repeated rapidly; rich 
vibrant song, frequently in mimic of other bird voices” and P. Slater 

(1974), “A rich powerful ‘Chip-chip-chip-.The female call is ‘Tit- 

tit-tit-tit’. Also mimics other species”. 

These statements are a result of an uncritical acceptance of an 
initial report on the mimetic ability of the first bird re-discovered. 'Phis 
bird did indeed mimic; one of us (FNR) heard it in the field, and both 
have heard tape recordings of its mimicry. The Noisy Scrub-bird like 
many Australian passerines is capable of mimicry but very rarely uses 
is because it has no functional significance. The bird docs however have 
recognisable traces of mimicry in one of its song types, a song that would 
appear to be used in conflict situations. Robinson (1975) has suggested 
that the use of mimicry in the Menurae has developed from a basic 
passerine mimetic ability in response to conflict situations, and that 
through evolution it has acquired functional significance. In the Noisy 
Scrub-bird mimicry has been ritualized and now forms the basis of a 
variable song type. The mimicry of the first re-discovered bird was, we 
believe, the learnt response of one bird to the unusual and conflicting 
situation of having humans living in its territory. Subsequent close study 
of a number of other males has shown that mimicry is very rare, so 
that we conclude that most of the mimicry of the first re-discovered bird 
was in response to human intrusion, and that mimicry is not characteristic 
of Noisy Scrub bird song. 

The monotonous and repetitive character of the song of the male 
implicit in the descriptions of Macdonald (1973) and P. Slater (1974) is 
more applicable to the song of the male Rufous Scrub-bird, whose song 
is indeed the repetition of a single note that may be described as “chip” 
or “cheap”. 

P. Slater’s (1974) description of the call of the female as “Tit-tit-tit- 
tit” implies a song similar to that of the male; this is incorrect as the 
female mainly uses two alarm notes, one of which may occasionally be 
repeated rapidly a number of times. She may also use a three-noted call 
and the non-terri'.orial song commonly given by the male. Details of the 
vocal repertoire are given in Smith and Robinson (in press). 

HABITAT 

As with song, the early descriptions of habitat tend to be more 
accurate than later ones. Gilbert states (in Whittcll, 1951) “It inhabits the 
densest and rankest vegetation, on the sides of hills and the thick grass 
around swamps or small running streams”; Masters (in Ramsay. 1866) 


“.it inhabits dense masses of vegetation consisting of tall, reedy 

crass and thick-growing low bushy shrubs”; Webb (1895) is 

found on the margins of fresh water swamps near Albany . . . and 


Campbell (1901) “. . . . in the forest.the Noisy Scrub bird which 

lives in the thickets of undergrowth”. 

Webster (1962b) also gives detailed descriptions of the areas at Two 
Peoples Bay where the birds are found. Yet despite these excellent des¬ 
criptions we find the habitat described as “sandhill scrub” (Chisholm. 1964), 
“Coastal heathland” and “gullies in very thick hcathland (Frith, 1973), 


121 







“dense vegetation of coastal scrub and hill gullies” (Macdonald, 1973) 
and “coastal rushes and densely vegetated coastal gullies” (P. Slater, 1974). 

Although broadly relevant to the area at Two Peoples Bay, these 
descriptions are misleading in that they give the wrong impression of 
both location and vegetative association. From our knowledge of the 
habitat at Two Peoples Bay and our examination of the areas where 
the bird was formerly found, the primary habitat is the wetter areas of 
the Jarrah-Marri (Eucalyptus marginata-E. calophylla) forest where there 
is some break in the canopy, as along streams and on the margins of 
swamps. Here the increase in light and water allow the growth of dense 
associations of scrubs and rush which provide the essential cover for 
nesting. It is worthwhile noting that the Rufous Scrub-bird (Atrichornis 
rufescens) also inhabits areas where the canopy has broken down and a 
dense understorey has developed. 

The description of the habitat as coastal although currently correct, 
is incomplete as Gilbert found it at Drakesbrook in the Darling Range 
and as far north of Albany as Mt. Barker (in Whittell, 1943; E. Slater, 
1973 and pers. comm.). Its apparent coastal occurrence is in part a 
reflection of the greater early exploration of the coastal areas and partly 
due to its occurrence in outliers of the Jarrah-Marri forest as at Two 
Peoples Bay and the extension of tongues of the forests towards the 
coast in valleys such as, Boogidup creek, and the extensive areas of 
swamps interdigitating with the Jarrah-Marri in the Albany area. 

CONCLUSION 

We have gone to some length in refuting these inaccuracies for two 
reasons. First, they provide an excellent example of how old and 
essentially accurate information can be ignored when more “modern” 
information is available. Secondly, we believe that a true appreciation of 
the nature and extent of mimetic ability in the Noisy Scrub bird is import¬ 
ant in understanding the evolution of passerine song (Robinson, 1975). 
With regard to the habitat of the Noisy Scrub-bird, it is understandable 
that modern books have tended to describe the area where the present 
sole population exists. 

Whilst it is obviously true that the bird does live in gullies in very 
thick heathland at Tw r o Peoples Bay, this was not the preferred or common 
habitat when the bird was more widespread. An appreciation of the true 
habitat requirements of the species is fundamental to understanding the 
ecology of the species and thus, hopefully, of careful management for 
conservation into the future. 

REFERENCES 

CAMPBELL. A. J. 1901. Nests and eggs of Australian birds. Author: Shef¬ 
field. 

CHISHOLM, A. H. 1951. The Story of the Scrub-birds Emu, 51: 89-112, 
285-297. 

CHISHOLM, A. H. 1964. Article. Scrub-bird. In A New Dictionary of 
Birds. Ed. A. Landsborough Thomson. Nelson: London. 
DRUMMOND, J. 1843. The Inquirer (Perth), 15 February. 

FRITH, H. J. 1973. Wildlife Conservation. Angus and Robertson: Sydney. 
JACKSON, S. W. 1907. Catalogue and data of the Jacksonian oological 
collection. 

MACDONALD, J. D. 1973. Birds of Australia. A. H. and A. W. Reed: 
Sydney. 

RAMSAY, E. P. 1866. Remarks upon the new species of Atrichia and A. 

clamosus of the west coast. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. pp. 439-440. 
ROBINSON, F. N. 1975. Vocal mimicry and the evolution of bird song. 
Emu. 75: 23-27. 

SERVENTY, D. L. and H. M. WHITTELL. 1967. Birds of Western Aus¬ 
tralia. Lamb: Perth. 

SLATER, E. 1973. John Gilbert—Re-discovery of his Descriptive Bird and 
Mammal Notes. RAOU Newsletter, No. 17. 


122 


SLATER, P. 1974. A field guide to Australian birds. Passerines. Rigby: 
Adelaide. 

SMITH, G. T. and F. N. ROBINSON. The Noisy Scrub-bird—An interim 
report. Emu (in press). 

WEBB, W. 1895. Albany Mail, 15 July. 

WEBSTER, H. O. 1962a. Re-discovery of the Noisy Scrub-bird, Atrichornis 
clamosus. West. Aust. Nat., 8: 57-59. 

WEBSTER, H. O. 1962b. Re-discovery of the Noisy Scrub-bird, Atrichornis 
clamosus —further observations. West. Aust. Nat., 8: 81-84. 

WHITT ELL, H. M. 1943. The Noisy Scrub-bird ( Atrichornis clamosus). 
Emu, 42: 217-234. 

WHITTELL, H. M. 1951. A review of the work of John Gilbert in Western 
Australia. Part IV. Emu, 51: 17-29. 


FROM FIELD AND STUDY 

Field Wren in the Albany Area—Serventy and Whittcll (Birds of 
Western Australia, 4th edn., 1967) give the western limits of the southern 
range of the Field Wren (Calamanthus fuliginosus) as Mt. Manypeaks and 
Two Peoples Bay. However I have seen one individual in coastal scrub 
west of Albany at Jimmy Newells Harbour, 30-35 km W.S.W. of Two 
Peoples Bay. The date was 14 May, 1973. 

—M. K. TARBURTON, Carmel College. 


Redshank on North-west Coast.—On September 2, 1974 I was observ¬ 
ing wading birds at the muddy edge of a shallow salt lake about 1 kilo¬ 
metre north-cast of Coral Bay when my attention was attracted by one odd 
sandpiper feeding with a large flock of Red-capped Dotterel (Charadrius 
ruficapillus). The following description was obtained using 10 x 50 binocu¬ 
lars at a range of about 25 metres with a good late afternoon light. 

Upper parts, nape and crown sandy brown; light “eyebrow”; dark line 
through eye; lower parts creamy white; bill straight, medium length, black; 
legs medium length, very bright crimson; overall size about equal to Grey 
Plover (28 cm). No call noted. Flight low and direct; rump and upper tail 
white, but with a narrow dark terminal band; wings with conspicuous white 
stripe on the upper surface. 

A positive identification may not be possible from these field notes, 
but it seems very likely that the bird was a vagrant Redshank (Tringa 
totanus). This is not usually regarded as an Australian species, but it does 
regularly migrate in August and September to the Malay peninsula, Sumatra, 
Borneo, Java and presumably the lesser Indonesian islands, and Christmas 
Island, and is regarded as common on mudflats in these countries in the 
(southern) summer months. An occurrence at Coral Bay would imply that 
the normal migratory flight had been extended by about 1,500 kilometres. 

—L. E. SEDGWICK, Geraldton. 


Moulting Mountain Ducks on Lake Preston.—The importance of 
the Yalgorup National Park, south of Mandurah, including as it does 
such large expanses of water as Lakes Clifton and Preston is widely 
recognised as a haven for waterfowl, particularly during the summer 
and in years of severe drought (Jenkins. W. Aust. Nat., 12, 1971: 28). 

Probably because of its high salinity Lake Preston usually carries 
fewer birds than Lake Clifton, but the following report by the National 
Park Ranger, Mr. R. Chandler dated November 25, 1974 shows the 
particular importance of Lake Preston to the Mountain Duck (Tadorna 
tadornoides) and a strong reason for restricting the use of boats and 
particularly power boats in the area. 


123 


“During a routine patrol of Lake Preston on the morning of Thurs¬ 
day 14 November I was proceeding south along the lake about one 
mile south of the causeway to Preston Beach. 

I observed a very large number of Mountain Duck, on closer 
examination it was found that most of the birds were unable to fly. 
It appears as though a mass moult was being experienced by the birds. 

1 continued heading south and for about the next six miles 1 found 
very large “rafts” of Mountain Ducks. As far as I could tell about 
one-third of the birds had completed the moult, one-third were well 
into it and the remaining third just commencing to lose their feathers. 

Further patrols have been carried out to this time to observe 
the birds, most of which have now departed. Only one large raft and 
one small one were observed at last check. 

Apparently Lake Preston is used by the birds to carry out some 
kind of special “Moult Migration”. To try and estimate the number of 
ducks from water level and with my limited experience was not pos¬ 
sible, the only honest remark I can make is that there were many 
thousands. 

I will attempt to observe this occurrence in future years to try 
and obtain more information. I have made enquiries amongst local 
people but no one seems to have any information that would help. 
Since the birds chose an isolated area and only remained for a relatively 
short time it is probable that this happens each year and has remained 
unobserved.” 

That shclducks, a group to which our Mountain Ducks belong, 
undergo “moult migrations” to safe bodies of secluded water is only a 
comparatively recently discovered phenomenon. Thus the bulk of the 
British-brccding population of the European Shclduck (Tadortia tadorna) 
is now known to concentrate for moulting in the late summer on the 
coastal flats off the River Elbe in Germany. In Western Australia the 
habit first came under notice in December 1964 when the English racing 
driver Donald Campbell was seeking a high speed record with his hydro¬ 
plane, “Bluebird”, on Lake Dumblcyung. He “was seriously impeded in his 
efforts by the presence of hundreds of moulting Mountain Ducks which 
could not be scared away as they were still flightless” (Servcnty Si Whittell, 
Birds of Western Australia, 4th edn., 1967: 139). 

No doubt other open waters in Western Australia will be discovered 
to which this species resorts during its vulnerable moulting period. Dr. 
D. L. Serventy informs me that when investigating the new Pelican nesting 
colony at the sand island off the Yunderup Canals Scheme in Peel Inlet 
in 1974 he found several Mountain Ducks in the vicinity to be moulting. 
The period was between October 1 and November 5. 

—C. F. H. JENKINS, Claremont. 

CORRECTIONS 

“Birds of the Gibb Rock Area,” by E. H. Sedgwick, W. Aust. Nat., 
13 (1), July 1974: 7-14. The following corrections are necessary: 

P. 8. In the list of “Observed order of appearance of farmland species” 
the following dates require alteration: Australian Bustard, “March 1967” 
should read “May 1968”. Willy Wagtail, “August 1967” should read “May 
1971”. Stubble Quail, “December 1968” should read “December 1967”. 

P. 9. Under Stubble Quail the first date should read “1967” and not 
“1968.” 

“The Breeding Burrow of the Banded Ant-eater or Numbat (Myrme- 
co bins fasciatus), by P. Christensen, (W. A ust. Nat., 13 (2/3), March 31, 
1975: 32-34. Due to an oversight no allowance was made for the reduction 
of the original drawings in Figs. 1 and 2 on p. 33. In Fig. I the scale “1 mm 
= 3 cm” should read “1 mm = 6 mm”. In Fig. 2 the scale “1 mm = 1 cm” 
should read “1 mm — 1.5 cm.” 


124 


THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN 

NATURALIST 


Vol. 13 


August 31, 1976 


No. 6 


THE REPTILES OF BARROW ISLAND 

By L. A. SMITH, Western Australian Museum, Perth 
SUMMARY 

The 38 terrestrial and 6 marine species of reptiles from Barrow Island are listed, 
including the first specimen of the sea snake Emydocephalus annulatus from Western 
Australia. The biology of the terrestrial species is discussed with respect to their 
distribution on the island, breeding condition, diet, body size and time of activity 
The relationships of the Barrow Island fauna to the mainland fauna are discussed. 

INTRODUCTION 

Barrow Island is an A class reserve situated 85.5 km north of Onslow, 
Western Australia. It is 29 km long and 8-13 km wide and rises to an 
altitude of 65 m. 

The first collections were made in 1840 by J. Lort Stokes in HMS 
Beagle. Since then the island has been visited by many naturalists: J. T. 
Tunney (1900), F. Lawson Whitlock (1917-18), F. Hill (1955), a joint 
Western Australian Museum-CSIRO expedition (1958), W. H. Butler (1964 
and 1965), A. A. Burbidge and A. R. Main (1969). All these workers 
were primarily interested in birds or mammals. W. H. Butler made the 
first extensive collection of reptiles in 1964 when he collected 28 species 
(Western Australian Naturalist, 11: 156-158), but even then reptile col¬ 
lecting was secondary to mammal collecting. 

I was on Barrow Island from 17 August-13 September 1973 when I 
collected a sample of as many species of reptiles as possible. 

For localities in the text, readers are referred to the map of Barrow 
Island in the Western Australian Naturalist, II: 150. 

METHODS 

Where possible the following data were recorded for each specimen: 
date and time of capture, details of habitat and behaviour (its activity 
when first sighted and its reactions when flushed). Each specimen was 
given a field number. 

Because of the cool conditions during my stay (mean daily maximum, 
25.3°C) most of the 38 species were inactive. However, a combination of 
judicious burning of Triodia and Spinifex clumps, examination of rubbish 
sites and “stalking” in a fixed area over a period of time produced a 
reasonable sample of most species. 

In addition pit traps were dug: a line of 6 just north of Town Point 
and a line of 12 at Flacourt Bay. Both lines ran from siliceous fore-dunes 
and traversed dunes, where possible alternating dune crest with interdune. 

Each specimen was identified, measured in millimetres (snout vent 
length) and weighed (weight of preserved specimen) and had the stomach 
removed and the contents, where possible identified. Testes were measured 
and ovaries were examined for indications of breeding. 

I have augmented my collection with specimens previously collected 
on the island. 

LIST OF SPECIES 

Where possible the following is recorded for each species: number 
of specimens examined (in brackets after the species names), snout vent 
length (mean in brackets after the range) and breeding data. Temperatures 
at which some species were active and some details of habitat are also 
given (see under discussion for more details of habitat preferences). The 
numbers preceeding species names refer to the numbers in Table 3. 


125 




TURTLES 

Family CHELONIIDAE 

Chelonia depressa Garman. Flatback Turtle (1). 

The remains of one turtle were found at Dove Point. 

Chelonia mydas (Linn.). Green Turtle 

A survey of the island's coastline on 31 August and 1 September 
showed that there were approximately 350 Green Turtles, either on the 
beaches or wallowing in the shallows within sight of the beach. All but 
about 50, which were in Bandicoot Bay, were along the west coast. 

Eretmochelys imbricate (Linn). Hawksbill Turtle. 

Not seen by me. Commonly seen in shallow pools at low tide or swim¬ 
ming in the shallows (Butler, 1970). 

LIZARDS 

Family GEKKONIDAE 
1 Diplodactylus stenodactylus Boulenger. 

Crowned Gecko (2). 

SVL 33 and 40. Both under debris. 

2 Diplodactylus taeniatus (Lonnberg & Andersson) (9). 

SVL 32-40 (37). Breeding: 2 eggs. All specimens out of Triodia 
angusta on siliceous sands and loams. 

3 Gehyra punctata (Fry). Spotted Dtella (6). 

SVL 31-40 (35). Breeding: 1 egg. Previous collectors found this 
species in termite mounds. Those I collected came from conglomerations 
of man-made rubble such as cement. 

4 Gehyra variegata (Dumeril & Bibron). Tree Dtella (10). 

SVL 37-43 (37.8). Breeding: 1 egg. Under debris such as timber, 
iron and old tyres. 

5 Heteronotia binoei (Gray). Bynoe’s Gecko (27). 

SVL 28-47 (37.7). Breeding: 2 eggs. In T. angusta. Particularly com¬ 
mon under man-made debris. 

Family PYGOPODIDAE 

Kluge (1974) has shown that Butler’s series of Delma fraseri (Butler, 
1970) comprised three species. 

6 Delma borea Kluge (1). 

SVL 71. Out of Triodia just inland from Shark Point. 

7 Delma nasuta Kluge (53). 

SVL 53-100 (81.7). Females larger than males (mean 90.9 vs 79.5). 
Breeding: females 85-100 (2 eggs), non breeding females 73-86. In T. 
angusta on red sands and loams. 

8 Delma tincta De Vis (3). 

SVL 64-73 (67). Breeding: 1 egg. All three specimens came from rocky 
areas with sparse topsoil and Triodia wiseana. 

Lialis burtonis Gray. Burton's Snake-lizard (17). 

SVL 96-280 (186.6). In T. angusta. 

Pygopus nigriceps (Fischer) (1). 

The posterior half of one specimen was collected. It had 13 preanal 
pores. 

Family AGAMIDAE 

Ampliibolurus caudicinctus caudicinctus (Gunther). 

Ring-tailed Dragon (26). 

SVL 29-60 (45), all subadult. Seen all over island but most commonly 
in rocky areas. I watched a Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides) preying 
on them. 


126 


9 Amphibolous minor Sternfeld. Western Jew Lizard (1). 

SVL 100. Breeding: 6 eggs; collected 4 September; five others seen 
over the next three days. Mean maximum temperature for 22 days up to 
4 September was 24.7 C C mean maximum for three days after 4 September 
was 29°C. All but one, which was running, were perched 2-3 m up in 
dead Hakea lorea, or Acacia shrubs. 

10 Physignathus gilberti gilberti Gray. 

Gilbert’s Water Dragon (6). 

SVL 50-102 (87.8). Breeding (one female with three follicles enlarged 
in one ovary, two in the other). Restricted to the few straggling mangroves 
of the east coast. 

Family SCINCIDAE 
11 Carlia triacantha (Mitchell) (1). 

SVL 31. From a well vegetated interdune near Town Point. 

12 Cryptoblepharus carnabyi Storr (4). 

SVL 32-35 (33.7). Breeding: 2 eggs. Seems to prefer places where 
there are vertical faces to climb. Specimens came from mangroves, a 
eucalypt trunk, the wall of a building and the face of a sink hole. 

13 Ctenotus fallens Storr (61). 

SVL 26-97 (72.2). Males average 70, females 74. Breeding. This, the 
dominant skink on the island is found in all habitats. It is numerous on 
coastal dunes: in Spinifex longifolius on siliceous foredunes and on con¬ 
solidated dunes where the vegetation tends to clump in thickets of T. an- 
gttsta, acacias and small shrubs. Similar thickets are formed in gullies in 
the interior of the island. These thickets are similar to the clumps of 
S. longifolius in that they create a loose-knit lattice of vegetation. This 
situation suits C. fallens in its feeding. It is a forager, dividing its time 
between stalking in partly open (shaded) areas on the ground and climbing 
around in vegetation (up to 0.5 m above ground). Rarely seen feeding in 
open, unshaded areas. 

14 Ctenotus grandis Storr (4). 

SVL 34-112 (78.3). The one specimen I collected came from an area 
with light sand. 

15 Ctenotus pantherinus acripes Storr (26). 

Sample falls into two size groups viz. SVL 42-62 (52.2) and 72-94 
(84.7) overall mean 66. Breeding: one female with 6 eggs, 7 mm in 
diameter. Rocky areas with T. wiseana. 

16 Ctenotus piankai duricola Storr (2). 

SVL 52 and 53. Both specimens from a rocky area near Shark Point. 

17 Ctenotus sei'ventyi Storr (1). 

SVL 43. The single specimen was collected on siliceous sand at Surf 
Point. 

18 Lerista bipes (Fischer) (15). 

SVL 52-53 (49.2). This fossorial species was found in consolidated 
dunes and loamy flats. 

19 Lerista elegans (Gray) (2). 

SVL 28 and 30. These specimens, collected by Butler, came from 
“Triodia on sand”. 

20 Lerista muelleri (Fischer) (6). 

SVL 25-37 (30.1). One female with one follicle enlarged. Found 
among consolidated dunes. 

21 Morethia lineoocellata (Dumeril & Bibron) (1). 

SVL 21. Still only known on the island from the original specimen 
collected by Butler. 


127 


22 Morethia taeniopleura exquisita Storr (9). 

SVL 29-35 (32.4). In all habitats but mostly siliceous foredunes and 
consolidated dunes. Feeds by standing motionless in the open while curling 
its brilliant red tail horizontally back and forth as a lure. 

23 Notoscincus ornatus ornatus (Broom) (9). 

SVL 22-35 (28.8). Like the previous species it can be found in all 
habitats but is most often found on consolidated dunes and loamy flats. 

Ecological differences between Notoscincus ornatus ornatus and No- 
toscincus o. wotjulum arc notable. The nominate race occurs in a similar 
habitat to, and behaves like, many desert species of Ctcnotus i.e. it sits 
motionless in open areas between clumps of Triodia waiting for prey or 
sunning itself. The Kimberley race N. o. wotjulum is smaller and has 
shorter legs and a strong dorsolateral stripe which gives it the superficial 
appearance of a Lerista. This race also feeds like some species of Lerista 
or Carlia i.e. it stalks through leaf litter beneath trees and shrubs. 

This is the Ctenotus wotjulum of Butler (W.A. Nat., 11: 157). 

24 Omolepida branchialis (Gunther) (39). 

SVL 57-108 (96.4). Breeding: up to 5 follicles enlarged. In T. angusta 
on consolidated dunes and loamy flats. 79 per cent of specimens have SVL 
greater than 90 mm. 

25 Proablepharus regmae (Glauert) (15). 

SVL 20-37 (29.5). Breeding: (one female with two enlarged follicles). 
All from T. angusta on sandy soil. This species is widespread on the West¬ 
ern Australian mainland: southern Kimberleys, Pilbara, Great Victoria 
Desert, but it is rare. It is one of the most common lizards on Barrow 
Island. .... 

A notable absentee from Barrow Island is Metietia greyii which is 
common and widespread on the mainland. It appears from their similar 
size and their complementary distributions that P. reginae has almost been 
eliminated on the mainland by M. greyii but thrives on Barrow Island in 
the absence of M. greyii. 

26 Sphenomorphus isolepis isolepis (Boulenger) (13). 

SVL 35-60 (47). Confined to siliceous sand with Spinifex longifolius. 

27 Sphenomorphus richardsonii (Gray) (3). 

SVL 57-100. Confined (at least during the day) to caves and deep 
crevices where it burrows in soft, moist, karst soils. 

Family VARANIDAE 

28 Varanus (?) acanthurus (Boulenger) (3). 

SVL 83-120 (103.6). All on gravelly or loamy soil; two under rubbish, 
the other out of Triodia. 

Varanus giganteus (Gray). Perentie (1). 

One specimen, a road casualty. However, a log of Perentie sightings 
was kept: 27 in all habitats. Every rock shelter, whether a cave or a simple 
overhang showed evidence of this species’ presence. 

SNAKES 

Family TYPHLOPIDAE 
Typhlina diverset (Waite) (1). 

Butler (1970) collected one in gravel and Triodia. 

Family BOIDAE 

Liasis childreni Gray. Children's Python (13). 

This species shelters in termite mounds during the day and forages in 
the open at night. From eight demolished mounds 6 Liasis were collected: 
3 from one mound and 1 each of three others. Heteronotia was the only 
other reptile found in the mounds. 


128 


Family ELAPIDAE (including sea snakes) 
Demansia psammophis reticulata (Gray). Whip Snake (2) 

Butler (1970) collected a road casualty. Another road casualty has 
been collected since my visit. 

Furina christieana (Fry) (2). 

Butler (1970) collected one at night on road. One collected since my 

visit. 

Pseudechis australis (Gray). Mulga Snake (4). 

One collected in open Triodia at night. All but one of the specimens 
collected by Butler, which was flushed from Triodia, were collected on 
roads at night. 

VermiceTla semifasciata approximans (Glauert) 

Allied Bandy Bandy (2). 

Both specimens collected since my visit. 

Aipysurus duboisii Bavay (1). 

One beach derelict collected on islet in Bandicoot Bay. Head only 
kept. Ventrals 186, subcaudals 24. 

Aipysurus laevis laevis Lacepede (1). 

Butler (1970) speared one in 4 m of water. 

Emydocephalus annulatus Krefft (1). 

SVL 500. This specimen (R47852) is the first specimen collected from 
the Western Australian coast. The possession of only 3 upper labials 
(rather than at least 6) distinguishes it from other Western Australian sea 
snakes. 

Ventrals 148, subcaudals 29. Smith (1926) records ventrals 138-144 
and subcaudals 20-30. 

Ground colour yellowish, with 21 bluish black bands on the body. 
These bands tend to be confluent on the back, constricted (sometimes 
broken) on the flanks. Scales in interspaces between bands with decreasing 
areas of bluish black from mid black (all bluish black) to lower flanks 
(all yellowish). 

The specimen, a beach derelict, was collected by N. T. Allen in 
January, 1975. 

DISCUSSION 

The following discussion is restricted to the terrestrial fauna. 

Barrow Island consists mainly of undulating limestone caprock inter¬ 
sected with deep cracks which contain alluvial loams. With the exception 
of 17-18 kilometres of cliffs on the north-west side, the island is bounded 
by aeolian dunes. These white dunes are backed by several lines of reddish 
consolidated dunes. Further inland there are usually alluvial loam flats. 
These flats arc largest at Flacourt Bay where, because of altitude the 
runoff is greatest. 

The deep cracks (crcekbeds) contain Triodia angusta through which 
are dispersed shrubs, principally ITakca lorea , Petalostyles, Acacia bivenosa 
and Gossypium robinsonii. The alluvial flats immediately behind the dunes 
are also vegetated with T. angusta and the occasional clump of wattle. 

The foredune is vegetated with Spinifex longifolius, the consolidated 
dunes with 7\ angusta. Acacia coriacea and other shrubbery. In the south 
and north of the island the alluvial flats have formed claypans covered 
with grasses. 

Thus, 80-90 per cent of the island is a rocky Triodia steppe, the re¬ 
mainder being a fringe of sand dunes vegetated with scrub. The overall 
impression, to quote Whitlock, “represents a desolate and most uninviting 
appearance”. How then, with a limited variety of habitats do 38 species 
of land reptiles share the island’s space and food resources? When each 
species is examined with regard to its distribution on the island, its diet, 
body size and time of activity (diurnal or nocturnal) there seem to be sur¬ 
prisingly few species in conflict. 


129 


TABLE 1 




73 

Ed 

S9AV 

H 

C 

P5 

*!H«0 

cq 

Ed 

H 

sniBqdaiqBOjy 

Pi 

Ed 

> 

BUI[0Q 


sn;oua^o 


t?4a;douauiAH 1 


Bia^doaioo 


eja;diQ 


Bja;dopidaq 

73 

H 

O 

Bia^dojna^ 

Bja^diuidH 1 

Ed 

73 

2 

Bia^dosj 


Bia^doq^xo 1 


uapo^uBj^ 


eapoueie 

73 

BIoquiano3 

Ed 

H 

< 

Bjn'jojj 

cd 

M 

Ed 

H 

Pi 

Ed 

> 

Z 

Bpodopq^ 

cpiauBiy I 

sauoipdo 

Pi 

Cd 

Bpiuoidjoag 

53 

H 

o 

BaaB^snjQ 


Bpqauuy 


c 

o 

3 

o 

.a 

T3 

O 

0) 

CO 


j2 

<D 

T3 



130 









































Distribution of species on Island 

According to habitat preferences, the reptiles can be divided into 3 
groups: (a) species confined to rocky areas; (b) species found in rocky and 
sandy areas. Sandy areas include white sands (foredunes), red dunes and 
loams; (c) species confined to sandy areas. (See annotated list for habitat 
preferences within the sandy areas). 

The following species are only known from the island from one 
specimen: Pygopus nigriceps , Ctenotus serventyi, Morethia lineoocellata 
and Typhlina diversa. It is assumed that these species have the same habitat 
preferences as on the mainland viz. sandy areas. 

Although rocky areas with Triodia wiseana constitute about 80 per 
cent of the area, only 4 (or more probably 5) species are confined to it 
They are: Gehyra punctata, Delma tincta, Ctenotus pantherinus acripes 
Sphenomorphus richardsonii and probably Ctenotus piankai duricola. 

Species occurring in both rocky and sandy areas include: Gehyra 
variegata, Heteronotia hynoei, Amphibolurus c. caudicinctus, Cryptoble- 
pharus carnabyi, Ctenotus fallens, Morethia taeniopleura exquisita, Notos- 
cincus o. ornatus and Varanus giganteus. All but Cryptoblepharus appear 
more common in sandy areas. 

The remaining 24 species are restricted to sandy areas, which con¬ 
stitute only about 20 per cent of the island. 

Diet 

Table 1 shows the qualitative results of the examination of stomach 
contents. 

By adding the number of species which eat the animals in the various 
invertebrate groups mentioned in Fig. 1 an indication of overall food 



131 








preferences for the invertebrate-eating lizards can be obtained. This is 
summarised in Table 2. 

Where there is a reasonable sample of animals with identifiable 
stomach contents, an indication of food preferences can be obtained by 
scoring the number of times any one of the food groups occurs in each 
stomach for any one species. From this come the following notable points: 

(a) the 100 per cent reptilian diet of Lialis (66 per cent Delma); (b) 
every Proablcpharus stomach with identifiable remains contained hemip- 
terans (leaf hoppers). Only one stomach contained the remains of another 



X SVL 

TABLE 3. See under discussion for details, p. 133 


132 














insect (ants); (c) the 100 per cent ant diet of Notoscincus o. ornatus; (d) 
92 per cent of the Amphibolous caudicinctus stomachs contained ants. 

The diets of Delma borea, D. nasuta, D. tincta, Ctenotus pantherinus 
and Omolepida branchialis suggest that they could be nocturnal. 

Body Size and Time 

In Table 3 cube root of mean wet weight is plotted against mean 
snout-vent length for adults of each species of lizard with the exception 
of Pygopus nigriceps (incomplete specimen), Amphibolurus caudicinctus 
and M. lineoocellata (no adults), and Lialis burtonis and Varanus gigan- 
teus (weight too great for graph). Nocturnal species arc circled. 

The lizards in Table 3 fall into 5 main clusters comprising: 

(a) Carlin triacantlia, Cryptoblepharus carnabyi, Lerista spp., More- 
thia taeniopleura exquisite, Notoscincus o. ornatus and Proablepharus. 
Morethia lineoocellata is comparable in size to Carlia triacantlia and also 
falls in this group; (b) the geckos and Ctenotus serventvi; (c) Delma borea, 
D. tincta, Ctenotus piankai and Sphenomorphus isolepis; (d) Delma nasuta, 
Ctenotus fallens , Ctenotus pantherinus, Omolepida branchialis, Spheno¬ 
morphus richardsonii and Varanus (?) ucanthurus; (e) Amphibolurus minor, 
Physignathus gilberti and Ctenotus grandis. 

Summary 

Of the species in group (a) above Lerista elegans and Morethia lineo¬ 
ocellata are litter inhabitants. Cryptoblepharus carnabyi restricts itself to 
areas where there are vertical faces to climb. Lerista bipes and L. muclleri 
are fossorial (although L. muelleri is probably as much a litter inhabitant 
as a “sand swimmer”). Morethia taeniopleura and Notoscincus ornatus 
have different methods of feeding and different diets. Proablepharus lives 
in T. angusta and appears to have a unique diet. The Carlia I collected 
came from an interdune; it could be another litter inhabitant or be found 
in T. angusta . 

Of the species in group (b) above, only Geliyra punctata is confined to 
rocky areas. G. variegate was probably confined to an arboreal habitat 
before human occupation. Although still found in this habitat it now also 
shares rubbish sites with Heteronotia binoei and Diplodactylus stenodac- 
tylus. H. binoei and Diplodactylus taeniatus are found in T. angusta. 
Ctenotus serventyi is the only diurnal species in this group. 

Of those species in group (c) above, Sphenomorphus isolepis is con¬ 
fined to foredunes. Ctenotus piankai and Delma tincta inhabit rocky areas. 

C. piankai is diurnal and D. tincta nocturnal. The one Delma borea I 
collected came from a loamy flat. 

Of the species in group (d) above, all but Ctenotus fallens and Varanus 
(?) acanthurus are nocturnal. Ctenotus pantherinus and Sphenomorphus 
richardsonii are found in rocky areas; furthermore S. richardsonii is fos¬ 
sorial. Delma nasuta and Omolepida branchialis are common in Triodia 
angusta on loam flats. Varanus (?) acanthurus is found on loam and 
gravel, C. fallens in all habitats. 

The species in group (e) above are diurnal. Amphiboludus minor is 
restricted to gullies and consolidated dunes where there are substantial 
shrubs Physignathus gilberti is restricted to mangroves. My single Ctenotus 
grandis came from a sandy area. 

Of the species not included in Table 3, three occur in Triodia. They 
are Purina christieana, Pseudechis australis and Demansia psammophis. 

D. psammophis is diurnal, the others nocturnal. 

Vermicella semifasciata and Typhlina diverse are fossorial. Lialis bur¬ 
tonis is exclusively a reptile eater, and Varanus giganteus eats mammals 
and birds. 

Thus the following species from the foregoing groups seem to be 
competing for space and food resources. In group (a): Lerista elegans, 
Morethia lineoocellata and possibly Carlia triacantlia and Proablepharus. 
In group (b): Diplodactylus stenodactylus, D. taeniatus and Heteronotia 
binoei. In group (c): Delma borea and D. tincta. From group (d): Omolepida 
branchialis and Delma nasuta and Ctenotus fallens and Varanus (?) 
acanthurus. 

It is interesting to note that 7 of these 13 species arc rare on the island. 


133 





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134 






faunal relationships of barrow island to mainland 

Barrow Island’s rich reptile fauna can be attributed to its geographic 
position. Bassian species which extend northward from south-western Aus¬ 
tralia tend to have coastal or insular distributions. Similarly, Torresian 
species which extend southward from the Kimberleys tend to have coastal 
or insular distributions. Thus, the Eyrean component (approximately 66 
per cent of the fauna) is supplemented by Lerista elegans and Morethia 
Hneoocellatci (southern species) and Physignathus gilberti, Dclma borea, 
Ctenotus serventyi, Sphenomorphus isolepis, Varan us (?) acanthurus and 
Purina (northern species). Lialis, Liasis, Omolepida branchialis, Cryptoble- 
pharus carnabyi and Pseudechis australis arc members of all three zoo¬ 
geographic faunas. 

At least two species of mammal on the island are represented by 
endemic races. Two examples arc Macropus robustus isabellinus and Jsoo- 
don auratus barrowensis. Both are smaller than their mainland counter¬ 
parts. 

Similarly Pseudechis australis exhibits dwarfism. Mean SVL of Barrow 
Island specimens is 633; mean SVL of specimens on the opposite main¬ 
land is 1208. It is possible that the small varanid that 1 have called Var- 
anus (?) acanthurus is another example of dwarfism. 

Four other species have diverged noticeably from mainland popula¬ 
tions. I hey are C tenotus grandis, C. pantherinus acripes, Proablepharus 
reginae and Sphenomorphus isolepis . 

Barrow Island Ctenotus grandis have fewer midbody scale rows than 
specimens from the North-west Division of the mainland (mean 33.3 vs 
36.2). Those specimens listed by Butler (1970) as Ctenotus sp. (affin. 
grandis) are in fact C, grandis. 

Ctenotus pantherinus acripes is endemic to Barrow Island. It has more 
midbody scale rows than C. p. pantherinus (mean 38 vs 35.7). The spiny 
soles of the feet help distinguish this race. 

Barrow Island Proablepharus reginae differ from mainland specimens 
in being smaller (mean SVL 30.3 vs 33.2) and darker and in having more 
subdigital lamellae (mean 23.6 v.v 22.8). In most Barrow Island specimens 
the upper periocular granules are not hidden by the brow, whereas in most 
mainland specimens they are hidden. 

The colour pattern of Barrow Island Sphenomorphus isolepis differs 
from that of North-west Division mainland specimens. This is described 
by Storr (1967: 16). 

The frequency of 8 labials in Omolepida branchialis is much higher 
in the North-west Division than elsewhere. 30 per cent of Barrow Island 
specimens have 8 labials compared to 53 per cent on the mainland of the 
North-west Division. The number of midbody scale rows is high (mean 26.1) 
in the Pilbara compared to those on Barrow Island and the south of the 
North-west Division. 

The maximum depth of water between Barrow Island and the main¬ 
land is approximately 15 m. These data used in conjunction with Fig. 5 
of Morner (1971) show that Barrow Island has been separated from the 
mainland for 7-8,000 years. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

I am grateful to West Australian Petroleum Pty. Limited and the 
Western Australian Wildlife Authority for supporting my study with the 
1973 Barrow Island Research Grant, and particularly to Mr W. H. 
Butler, the company’s Conservation Consultant, for helping make my 
stay on Barrow Island such a pleasant and profitable one. 

I am also grateful to the Chief Warden of Fauna, Department of 
Fisheries and Wildlife, for permission to collect specimens; to Mr A. M. 
Douglas for identifying stomach contents of specimens; to Mr R. E. John¬ 
stone, Western Australian Museum, for lending the photographs for 
reproduction in Plate 1, and Miss J. d'Espeissis, Western Australian 
Museum for preparing the tables. 

I would also like to thank West Australian Petroleum Pty Limited for 


135 


financing the production of the plate and Dr G. M. Storr, Curator of 
Vertebrates, Western Australian Museum, for criticism of the manuscript. 

REFERENCES 

BUTLER, W. H. 1970. A summary of the vertebrate fauna of Barrow 
Island. IV. Aust. Nat., 11: 149-160. 

KLUGE, A. G. 1974. A taxonomic revision of the lizard family Pygopo- 
didac. iWise. Pubis. Mus. Zool. Uriiv. Mich. No. 147. 

MORNER, N. A. 1971. Late Quaternary isostatic, eustatic and climatic 
changes. Quarternaria, 14: 65-83. 

SMITH, M. A. 1926. Monograph of the Sea Snakes (Hydrophiidae). Lon¬ 
don: British Museum. 

STORR, G. M. 1967. The genus Sphenomorphus (Lacertilia, Scincidae) in 
Western Australia and the Northern Territory. J. Proc. R. Soc. West . 
Aust., 50: 10-20. 

WHITLOCK, F. L. 1918. Notes on North-Western birds. Emu, 18 (4): 
240-253. 


BIRD NOTES FROM A WINTER VISIT TO ECLIPSE ISLAND, 
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 

By P. J. FULLAGAR and G. F. van TETS, CSIRO, Division of Wildlife 

Research, Canberra 

The following notes result from a short visit to Eclipse Island, Western 
Australia, in the winter of 1973. We arrived by boat from Emu Wharf, 
Albany on 2 August, and made our return on 9 August. We have included 
some sea-bird observations from these passages. 

A general description of the birds of Eclipse Island was given by 
Warham (1955a). Also, there are more detailed accounts based on obser¬ 
vations made at this island with respect to the Great-winged Petrel, 
Pterodroma macroptera (Warham, 1956, 1957), Fleshy-footed Shearwater, 
Puff inns carneipes (Warham, 1958), and the Little Shearwater, Puff inns 
assimilis (Glauert, 1946; Warham, 1955b). 

In size the island is about 160 hectares and rises to its highest point 
at 108 metres where the lighthouse is situated (Fig. 1). The island is 
granitic with much of it covered in thick scrub, predominantly Melaleuca 
lanceolata (see for example Fig. 4, p. 11, Serventy et al., 1971). In places 
other shrubs such as Leucopogon revolutus, Verticordia plumosa, A rider- 
sonia sprengelioides, Hibbertia cimeiformis, Boronia alata, Calocephalus 
brownii and Chorilaena quercifolia, form a compact low cover, in par¬ 
ticular along the western ridge. Some Casuarina sp. occurs in places on 
the steeper northern slopes. Extensive areas of the N.W. of the island 
were burned by a severe wildfire in 1968. Much of the south-east side 
of the island is rocky and covered only by very short, cushion-like vege¬ 
tation, predominantly Verticordia plumosa. Cliff Head and the isles off 
the western end are bare rock. A predominant introduced plant is a South 
African Arum lily, Zantedeschia aethiopica, which was in flower at the 
time of our visit. Open ground was otherwise closely covered by Pigface, 
Carpobrotus aequilaterus. 

Lighthouse structures include an abandoned jetty and “Flying Fox’’. 
A bulldozed track leads from the new landing facilities to the light-station 
cottages close to the light-tower at the top of the island. Here there are 
several additional sheds and stores, some water storage tanks, radio trans¬ 
mission towers and wires, and a power generation plant. Some cleared 
areas and several additional tracks have been introduced since the island 
was first occupied in 1925. 

Vertebrates on the island, other than a few domestic pets including 
the Domestic Pigeon, Columba livia, arc the Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, 
and a small breeding colony of the Australian Sea-lion, Neophoca cinerea. 
The Rabbit is not numerous and appears to be in little conflict with the 
breeding avifauna. The history of its introduction is apparently undocu- 


136 


mented. Lizards are numerous and four species were noted, Marbled 
Gecko, Phyllodactylus marmoratus; King’s Skink, Egernia kingii; Salmon- 
bellied Skink, Egernia nitida, and Yellow-bellied Skink, Hemiergis peronii. 

To assess the breeding status of the Great-winged Petrel and the Little 
Shearwater, eight study plots, of 20 x 20 metres each, were searched 
thoroughly (Fig. 1). 

The following annotated list summarises our observations. 



Fig. 1.—Map of Eclipse Island, Western Australia showing general 
features and contours at 50 foot intervals. Note, in particular, the location 
of tracks leading from the landing place to lighthouse; the track towards 
the west-end, the “flying-fox” between the quarters and the old landing 
site and eight plots (A to H) that were surveyed in detail for nesting petrels. 


THE BREEDING BIRDS ON ECLIPSE ISLAND 
Warham (1955a) lists 12 species that possibly breed on the island. 
We saw 11 of them and strongly suspect that the remaining bird, the 
Spotless Crake, Porzatui tabuensis is no more than a vagrant (sec later). 
We could add no additional species except possibly the Brown Goshawk, 
Accipiter fasciatus, and the Laughing Kookaburra, Dacelo gigas. 

Little Penguin, Eudyptula minor 

A few heard at dusk on the sea and at night under shrubs and trees. 
A couple of skeletons were collected, but this penguin did not appear to 
be common on the island. 

Great-winged Petrel, Pterodroma macroptera 

One was seen in the entrance to King George Sound 2 August. One 
was seen between Eclipse Island and the mainland and one was seen 
in the entrance to King George Sound 9 August. 


137 













This petrel nests over much of the island (Fig. 2). Nest sites were 
mostly well scattered, either in shallow burrows or more frequently 
using only the cover provided by the small isolated clumps of scrub. Such 
wind-shorn clumps would often shelter several chicks or incubating adults 
on surface nests to which access was gained from the perimeter of the 
bush. The highest density we noted was near the western end of the 
island. Here on one plot we counted 23 occupied sites in 400 square 
metres. Very few petrels were nesting in the severely burnt areas and in 
the short dense regrowth of Melaleuca either side of the road on the lower 
levels east of the lighthouse. Some concentration of sites was noted on 
the talus slopes around the lighthouse hill, particularly on the southern 
side. Some petrels were found at sites very close to the living quarters 
and even against the walls of the very noisy electric power generation 

plant building! In all, 60 nest sites were located and examined in detail. 

Of this number 37 were surface nests, 18 were inside 30-45 cm burrows; 
leaving only five sites where the burrows were between 60 cm and 90 cm 
in length. Again, 40 of these sites were below bushes (most often Mela¬ 
leuca) 60 cm to 240 cm tall and 20 had only short cover, usually Pigfacc. 

Most of the eggs hatched before our arrival, since we recorded 43 
unattended chicks against seven adults still sitting on eggs. However, 
unattended eggs were found almost as often as those with the adult sitting. 
Warham (1956, 1957) suggests that hatching occurs from early to mid-July, 
which would be consistent with our observations. Several eggs hatched 
during our stay. The body weights of chicks varied from 50 g to 375 g, 

with an average from 45 chicks of about 175 g. Four eggs on the point 

of hatching weighed about 43 g, 65 g, 71 g, and 88 g. A three day old 
chick weighed 75 g. At this stage its bill was shiny jet black, the legs were 
pale-grey to creamy and the webs creamy. The down was grey-black. A 
persistent egg-tooth was noted on most chicks at body weights below 120 g 
(eight with against three without). However, body weight is not a very 
reliable indication of age even in small chicks of petrels, since enormous 
increases can follow meals. Also according to Warham (1967), the small 
chicks of the similar White-headed Petrel, Pterodroma lessoni, tend to lose 



Fig. 2.—Distribution of nesting Great-winged Petrels, Pterodroma 
macroptera on Eclipse Island, Western Australia. 


138 



15 to 20 g per day when not fed. We recorded the same rate of weight 
loss with four Eclipse Island Great-winged Petrel chicks reweighed after 
four days. 


TABLE 1.—SOME MEASUREMENTS FROM 10 BREEDING GREAT-WINGED PETRELS 
PTERODROMA MACROPTERA, ON ECLIPSE ISLAND, WESTERN AUSTRALIA THE 
MEASUREMENTS FROM 20 EGGS ARE ALSO GIVEN 




Range 

Mean 

jfS.D 

Culmen 

to 0.1 mm 

32.7 - 36.8 

34.9 

1 3 

Tarsus 

to 0.1 mm 

43.3 - 45.6 

44.2 

0 7 

Wing 

to 1.0 mm 

304 - 314 

309 

5 

Tail 

to 1.0 mm 

110 -128 

125 

5 

Weight 

to 10 g 

440 - 500 

478 

21 

Egg width 

to 0.1 mm 

40.2 - 50.0 

47.6 

2 1 

Egg length 

to 0.1 mm 

60.1 - 68.8 

65.1 

2.4 


The length of the exposed culmen of the newly hatched chick is 
nearly 20 mm, and the tarsus is also about 20 mm long. Some egg dimen¬ 
sions and measurements from 10 adults have been summarised in Table 1. 
These dimensions for adults do not differ from a small sample of measure¬ 
ments given by Murphy and Pennoycr (1952), for the race P. m. macrop- 
tera. Also, they are in general agreement with those given by Swales 
(1965) for eight birds measured on Gough Island, South Atlantic. In some 
individuals, slight body moult was noted. Filoplumes, as described by 
lmbcr (1971), could not be found readily on any of these adult individuals 
at this stage in the breeding season. Two chicks regurgitated squid eyes, 
and from a third individual the early stage larva of the Mantis shrimp, 
Squillci sp., was recovered. 

Little night-time activity was noted during our stay. Presumably the 
petrels were quietly flying in to feed chicks, as noted by Warham during 
the month of September (Warham, 1956). Some aerial courtship chasing 
accompanied by calling was observed, but this was confined to fewer 
than 20 birds a night. It occurred over the lee-side of the island in the 
prevailingly high winds during our stay. These flight calls described by 



Fig. 3.—Distribution of major nesting colonies of the Fleshy-footed 
Shearwater, Puff inns carncipes, and the Little Shearwater, Puffinus assi- 
milis, on Eclipse Island, Western Australia. 


139 













Warham (1956) were tape recorded, and representative samples have been 
deposited in the CS1RO library of bird calls. 

The breeding population of Eclipse Island would probably be in 
the order of 10,000-15,000 pairs. 

Fleshy-footed Shearwater, Puffinus carnelpes. 

One was seen and photographed over a school of tuna outside King 
George Sound 9 August. Nests and skeletons were found at several locali¬ 
ties on Eclipse Island where it breeds during the summer. 

No birds were seen on Eclipse Island, but an attempt was made to 
determine the nesting distribution of this Shearwater, and the locations 
of what we believe to be the colonies have been shown in Fig. 3. 

Little Shearwater, Puffinus assimilis 

One was seen outside the entrance to King George Sound 9 August. 
On Eclipse Island several recently killed adults were found with the flesh 
of the neck region eaten away, presumably by a Brown Goshawk. 

The distribution of colonies of this Shearwater has been indicated in 
Fig. 3. Scattered and essentially isolated burrow sites are probably un¬ 
common. The tendency seems to be for groups of Little Shearwater to 
be associated together or for extensive dense colonies to be formed in 
particular locations. Notable sites are those to the north-west of the island. 
Suitability of terrain for burrowing is clearly an important factor. Most 
burrows were in gritty soils or amongst loose rocks between and behind 
which these shearwaters can excavate. There is nearly always an open 
vegetation cover, though dense, tall Melaleuca may form a high canopy. 
Half of 16 occupied burrows which we examined were under 60 cm in 
length, but 150 cm was the longest found. We believe that fewer than 
2,000 pairs of this shearwater breed on the island. 

All Little Shearwaters were on eggs, which were well through incu¬ 
bation at the time (see Glauert, 1946). Some egg dimensions and measure¬ 
ments of adults have been summarised in Table 2. For comparison, the 
dimensions of Lord Howe Island birds have been given (unpublished 
data, Fullagar and van Tets). 

The Eclipse population does not differ significantly in any of these 
measurements from Lord Howe Island birds. This suggests that distinction 
of the race P. a tunneyi from P. a. assimilis, as outlined by Fleming and 
Serventy (1943), is not supported by our more extensive data from 
breeding birds. 

TABLE 2.—SOME MEASUREMENTS FROM 15 BREEDING LITTLE SHEARWATERS. 
PUFFINUS ASSIMILIS ON ECLIPSE ISLAND. WESTERN AUSTRALIA. MEASUREMENTS 
OF 17 EGGS ARE ALSO GIVEN. FOR COMPARISON DATA FROM 60 LITTLE SHEAR¬ 
WATERS MEASURED ON ROACH ISLAND, LORD HOWE ISLAND. IN MARCH 1971. 

(FULLAGAR AND VAN TETS. UNPUBLISHED) HAVE BEEN SUMMARISED. 




ECLIPSE ISLAND 

LORD 

HOWE ISLAND 



Range 

Mean 

-f-S.D. 

Range 

Moan 

+ S.D. 

Culmen 

to 0.1 mm 

23.0 - 26.2 

24.9 

0.9 

22.2 - 26.2 

24.0 

0.9 

Tarsus 

to 0.1 mm 

37.4 - 39.8 

38.3 

0.9 

33.5 - 39.1 

37.1 

1.1 

Wing 

to 1.0 mm 

173 - 185 

179 

3 

169 -188 

179 

4 

Tail 

to 1.0 mm 

61 - 73 

68 

3 

65 - 74 

70 

2 

Weight 

to 5 g 

165 - 220 

195 

15 

140 - 200 

172 

14 

Eqq width 

to 0.1 mm* 

34.7 - 37.8 

36.0 

0.9 




Egg length to 0.1 mm* 

46.8 - 54.4 

51.9 

1.8 





* Glauert (1946) gives measurements of a further 11 eggs from Eclipse Island. 


Brown Goshawk, Accipiter fasciatus 

One was seen on Eclipse Island on 2, 4, 7 and 8 August. It was sus¬ 
pected as a predator of the Little Shearwater. 

Nankeen Kestrel, Falco cenchroides 

One seen on Eclipse Island 2 August. 

Sooty Oystercatcher, Haematopus fuliginosus 

At Eclipse Island at least two were seen 3 August, at least three 
were seen 4 and 7 August and at least two were seen 8 August. They 
were seen preying on limpets on the intertidal rocks. 


140 










Silver Gull, Larus novaehollandiae 

At dawn about 200 were seen flying south out to sea at the entrance 
to King George Sound. One followed the boat out to Eclipse Island. 

At Eclipse Island twelve were seen 2 August, at least five were 
seen 3 and 7 August, and at least six were seen 8 August. It was noted 
that legs and bills were more purplish red in colour than in eastern 
Australia. 

At least 11 circled around the boat while it was fishing for tuna 
outside King George Sound 9 August. 

Rock Parrot, Neophema petrophila 

One was seen on Eclipse Island 2 August. 

Laughing Kookaburra, Dacelo gigas 

One seen on 8 August. This species is presumably resident on Eclipse 
Island and possibly preys on the skinks. 

Welcome Swallow, Hirunclo neoxena 

At Eclipse Island one was seen 2 August, at least six were seen 3 
August. A nest was found in the roof of an open cave at the western end 
of the island. The contents could not be seen but three swallows were 
circling back and forth nearby. 

Pipit, A nth us novaeseelandiae 

On Eclipse Island one seen 3 and 4 August. 

Western Silvcreye, Zosterops gouldi 

It was very numerous on Eclipse Island. 

OTHER SPECIES RECORDED FROM ECLIPSE ISLAND 
AND THE SURROUNDING SEAS 

We saw 15 additional species either on or near the island, though 
some of them were observed only during the boat crossings. Of most 
interest was our record of several Sooty Shearwater, Puffinus griseus. 
between King George Sound and Eclipse; the sighting of a Red-tailed 
Tropic-bird, Phaethon rithricauda, over the island, and what appeared to 
be a sighting of two immature and an adult White-fronted Tern, Sterna 
striata, off the island. We have also had reported to us further descrip¬ 
tions of ‘rails’ seen on the island in recent years and conclude that they 
are the Black-tailed Native-Hen, Tribonyx ventral is. Eight species recorded 
by Warham (1955a), were not seen by us. 

Wandering Albatross, Diomedea exulans 

One very white adult was seen off Eclipse Island 3 August. One 
adult and one immature were seen between Eclipse Island and the main- 
land 9 August. This was the least common of the albatrosses seen. 

Black-browed Albatross, Diomedea melanophris 

One was seen outside King George Sound 2 August, and two near 
Eclipse Island 3 August. An adult and an immature were near Eclipse 
Island at 15.45 hours and four at 16.30 hours on 4 August. Two were 
seen near the island 8 August. At least two adults and two immatures 
were seen between Eclipse Island and King George Sound 9 August. 

Yellow-nosed Albatross, Diomedea chlororhynchos 

At least 10 were seen between King George Sound and Eclipse Island 
2 August and at least 10 near Eclipse Island 3 August. Three were seen 
near the Island 4, 7 and 8 August. About 100 were seen over a school 
of tuna outside the entrance to King George Sound 9 August. 

White-capped Albatross, Diomedea cant a 

One sub-adult and one adult were seen near Eclipse Island 3 August. 
Two, including an immature, were seen 7 August and one immature was 
seen near the island 8 August. At least one was seen over a school of 
tuna outside King George Sound 9 August. 

Southern Giant Petrel, Macronectes giganteus 

A white form was seen inside the entrance to King George Sound 
6.30 hours 2 August. 


141 


Giant Petrel, Macronectes sp. 

At least two were seen outside the entrance to King George Sound 
2 August. One was seen near Eclipse Island 3 August. At least two were 
seen over a school of tuna outside the entrance to King George Sound 
9 August. 

Cape Petrel, Dciption capense 

At least five were seen between King George Sound and Eclipse 
Island 2 August. One was seen near Eclipse Island 7 August. At least 
four were seen between Eclipse Island and King George Sound 9 August. 

Sooty Shearwater, Puff inns griseus 

At least ten were seen between King George Sound and Eclipse 
Island 2 August. At least 12 were seen over a school of tuna outside the 
entrance to King George Sound 9 August. Some of them landed within 
four metres of the boat and were photographed. Several of them were 
showing very worn plumage, particularly among flight feathers. They 
were immediately recognised by their pale underwing patterns and long 
bills. The Sooty Shearwater has not been recorded previously in Western 
Australia. See Fig. 4. 



Fig. 4.—Sooty Shearwater, Puff inns griseus, one of 12 seen approxi¬ 
mately 10 km off Bald Head, King George Sound, Western Australia, 9 
August 1973. Note the long bill. Photo, P. J. Fullagar. 


The very similar Short-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris, has 
been recorded rarely in Western Australia (see Serventy, 1947, 1948; and 
Reilly et al. , 1975). 

White-faced Storm Petrel, Pelagodroma marina 

Not seen. (Cf. Warham, 1955a, p. 166). 

Australian Gaimet, Morns serrator 

At least one immature and one sub-adult seen between King George 
Sound and Eclipse Island 2 August. One immature was seen near Eclipse 
Island 3 August. One adult and one immature were seen near Eclipse 
Island 8 August. 

Red-tailed Tropic-bird, Phaethon rubricaucla 

One adult with a pinkish sheen to its body plumage was seen hov¬ 
ering and circling over the west end of Eclipse Island 3 August. It did not 


142 


call. It made several dives and passes at a Sooty Oystercatcher flying near 
the shore over the sea. 

White-faced Heron, Arden novaehollcindiae 
Not seen (cf. Warham, 1955a, p. 167). 

Osprey, Pandion haliaetus 

Not seen (cf. Warham, 1955a, p. 168). 

White-breasted Sea Eagle. Haliaeetus leucogaster 
An adult was seen at Eclipse Island 2 and 8 August. 

Swamp Harrier, Circus approximans 
Not seen (cf. Warham, 1955a, p. 168). 

Brown Falcon, Falco berigora 

Not seen (cf. Warham, 1955a, p. 168). 

Spotless Crake, Porzana tabuensis 

Not seen (cf Warham, 1955a, p. 166). The only one recorded from 
Eclipse Island was received by the Western Australian Museum 30 Dec¬ 
ember 1938 from Mr A. E. Blythe. Its catalogue number is A4954, a 
female. 

Black-tailed Native-Hen, Tribonyx ventralis 

A few were seen about five years ago on Eclipse Island by lan White, 
now headkeeper on the island. He described them as resembling Bantam 
Chickens with red bills and legs. Warham (1955a) describes similar obser¬ 
vations by previous keepers, but presumed that they were Spotless Crakes. 
Banded Plover, Vanellus tricolor 
Not seen (cf. Warham, 1955a, p. 167). 

Pacific Gull, Laras pad ficus 

At Eclipse Island one adult was seen 2 August and 9 August. Two 
were seen 3 August by Ian White. None were seen at sea outside King 
George Sound. 

Southern Skua, Catharacta lonnbergi 

One seen near Eclipse Island 3 August. At least five were seen over 
a school of tuna outside the entrance to King George Sound and at 
least three in the entrance 9 August. 

White-fronted Tern, Sterna striata 

At 15.15 hours 8 August two immatures and one adult of what we 
believe were this species were seen circling and diving close in to the 
south shore of Eclipse Island. The following features were noted: 
slender pale grey wings with pale tips, dark area in front on top of wing; 
long forked tail, white forehead with a sharp border between white and 
black on crown in the adult; black bill. 

This bird has not been recorded previously in Western Australia. 
Other terns which resemble it are not likely to be in southern Australia 
in August. White-fronted Terns are known to disperse from the New 
Zealand Islands to eastern Australia in winter. 

Fairy Tern, Sterna nereis 

Not seen (cf. Warham, 1955a, p. 165). 

Crested Tern, Sterna bergii 

At least ten were seen in the entrance to King George Sound 2 
August. One was seen at Eclipse Island 3 August. At least two were 
seen over a school of tuna outside the entrance to King George Sound. 
About 400 were seen resting on rocks at the entrance. 

Sacred Kingfisher, Halcyon sancta 
Not seen (cf. Warham, 1955a, p. 168). 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

We wish to thank the Department of Transport, Western Australia, 
for permission to visit Eclipse Island and Dr Graeme Smith, CSIRO, 
Perth, for the help given in organising and assisting us to and from the 
island. We owe special thanks to Ian and Audrey White for their hos- 


143 


pitality while we were making use of their home as a petrel field 
laboratory. Mr R. D. Royce, Officer-in-Charge, Botany Branch, Depart¬ 
ment of Agriculture, Western Australia, kindly made the plant identifica¬ 
tions for us. Dr R. W. George and Dr Glen M. Storr of the Western Aus¬ 
tralian Museum, identified a crustacean regurgitate and some skink 
specimens from Eclipse Island. Mr Frank Knight drew the figures. 

REFERENCES 

FLEMING, C. A., and D. L. SERVENTY, 1943. The races of Puffinus 
assimilis in Australia and New Zealand. Emu, 43: 113-125. 
GLAUERT, L. 1946. The Little Shearwater’s Year. Emu, 46: 187-192. 
IMBER. M. J. 1971. Filoplumes of petrels and shearwater. N.Z. J. Marine 
and Freshwater Res., 5: 396-403. 

MURPHY, R. C. and J. M. PENNOYER, 1952. Larger petrels of the 
genus Pterodroma. Amer. Mils . Novitates, No. 1580. 

REILLY, P. N., M. G. BROOKER and G. W. JOHNSTONE. 1975. Birds 
of the south-western Nullarbor Plain. Emu, 75: 73-76. 

SERVENTY, D. L. 1947. A record of the Short-tailed Shearwater from 
Western Australia. Emu, 47: 71. 

SERVENTY, D. L. 1948. The Tasmanian Mutton-bird in Western Aus¬ 
tralia. W. Aust. Nat., 1(6): 131. 

SERVENTY, D. L„ V. N. SERVENTY and J. WARHAM. 1971. The 
Handbook of Australian Sea-birds. A. H. and A. W. Reed: Sydney. 
SWALES, M. K. 1965. The sea-birds of Gough Island. Ibis, 107: 17-42; 
215-229. 

WARHAM, J. 1955a. The birds of Eclipse Island. Emu, 55: 164-169. 
WARHAM, J. 1955b. Observations on the Little Shearwater at the nest. 
W. A ust. Nat., 5: 31-40. 

WARHAM, J. 1956. The breeding of the Great-winged Petrel, Pterodroma 
macroptera. Ibis, 98: 171-185. 

WARHAM, J. 1957. Additional notes on the Great-winged Petrel, Ptero¬ 
droma macroptera. Ibis, 99: 511-512. 

WARHAM, J. 1958. The nesting of the Shearwater, Puf finus carneipes. 
Auk, 75: 1-14. 

WARHAM, J. 1967. The White-headed Petrel, Pterodroma lessoni at 
Macquarie Island. Emu, 67: 1-22. 


FROM FIELD AND STUDY 

A Further Record of Sminthopsis longicaudata (Marsupialia, Dasyuri- 
dae).—On March 16, 1975, while on a Department of Fisheries and Wild¬ 
life survey, we obtained a female Long-tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis longi- 
caudata Spencer). It was collected at 26°51’S, I26°23’E in the proposed 
1 050 000 ha Baker Lake Nature Reserve, in the Gibson Desert, south¬ 
west of Warburton, Western Australia. 

The animal was flushed from a spinifex tussock at late dusk. The 
collecting site was on a laterite plateau supporting a low hummock grass¬ 
land of Triodia sp. and Plectrachne sp. with occasional emergent Hakea 
lorea and Acacia sp. The soil was a shallow sandy gravel. About 10 m 
away was a laterite breakaway below which was a tall shrubland of Acacia 
aneura (Mulga) and A. kempeana. 

Only four specimens have previously been reported. One of these is 
labelled only “Central Australia” (holotype, National Museum of Victoria, 
C7803) and the others all come from the Pilbara of Western Australia 
(W. D. L. Ride, A Guide to the Native Mammals of Australia, 1970, p. 201). 

Ride does not provide any habitat information although H. J. Frith 
(Wildlife Conservation, 1973, p. 88) includes the species among “. . . 
mammals whose main habitats are woodlands do also live in grasslands 
where there are no trees.” Our record extends the known distribution and 
provides specific habitat data of a currently extant population. 


144 


The specimen is lodged in the Western Australian Museum (Ml3348). 
A full report on the survey will be published in the Wildlife Research 
Bulletin. 

— A. A. BURB1DGE and N. L. McKENZIE, W.A. Wildlife Research 

Centre, Wanneroo. 


Incubation Period of the Pied Honey eater, Certhionyx variegatus .— 
Recently the opportunity occurred to record within very narrow limits, 
the incubation period of the Pied Honeyeater. At 13.00 hours on August 
31, 1975, a completed nest, later identified as that of a Pied Honeyeater, 
was discovered at a point 61 km north-east of Wubin on the Great North¬ 
ern Highway. 

The nest, empty at the time of its discovery, was located in a multiple 
fork of a hakea (Hakea scoparia), and was composed of fairly firm twigs 
lined with finer twigs and grasses. It was 72 cm from the ground, measured 
9 cm across on the outside and 6 cm internally. 

When the area was visited again at 10.00 hours on September 13, the 
nest contained two eggs, which, judging by the behaviour of the female, 
appeared to be on the point of hatching. This conclusion proved to be 
correct, as, when the nest was again visited at 07.15 hours on September 14, 
one egg had hatched, while a further inspection at 10.15 hours showed 
that the second egg also had hatched. It was noted that the eggshells had 
been removed from the vicinity of the nest and the female remained in 
close attendance throughout the period during which the nest was kept 
under observation. During the same period the male visited the nest site 
fleetingly, staying only long enough to enable a definite identification to 
be made. 

Therefore, in a period 13 days 21 hours two eggs had been laid and 
hatched, which on the assumption that they were laid on two consecutive 
days and that brooding commenced immediately thereafter, indicated an 
incubation period of not more than 12 days 21 hours. 

It may be worth adding, however, that the nesting proved unsuccess¬ 
ful, as on a visit to the area a week later, on September 20, the young had 
disappeared and the nest itself had been dislodged from the position in 
which it had been built. There was nothing to indicate the cause of the 
destruction. 

—A. FEWSTER and M. T. MILLARD 


First Record of the Kerguelen Diving-Petrel in Australia.—On 20 
March, 1974 Mr. N. Whiteford found a recently dead seabird on Middle- 
ton Beach, near Albany, Western Australia, and gave it to Mr. H. O. 
Webster for identification. Realising that it was the first record of a 
diving-petrel for this State, Mr. Webster kindly donated the specimen 
to the Western Australian Museum where it was prepared into a study- 
skin (registered number A12761) and identified as Pelecanoides cxsul 
Salvin. 

Details of specimen: weight, total length and wing-span in flesh, 120 g, 
212 mm and 419 mm respectively; exposed culmen 17, entire culmen 27, 
width of bill at base 9.3, wing 124.5, tail 45, tarsus 25, middle toe and claw 
33; skull fully ossified; feet blue; wings and entire upper surface glossy 
black. Length of wing and tail are greater than the ranges (118-121.5 and 
35-40.5) given for P. cxsul by R. C. Murphy and F. Harper (A review of the 
diving petrels. Bull. Amer. Mux. Nat. Hist., 44, 1921: 495-554). In most 
other respects it agrees well with our specimen (A6673) from Heard Island, 
a female cxsul that was brooding an egg on 3 December 1949. 

The combination of large size, broad bill with moderately converging 
sides (rather than narrow bill with almost parallel sides) and broad, un¬ 
broken grey band across throat and forcneck separates P. cxsul from all 
subspecies of the Common Diving-petrel (P. urinatrix). P. cxsul nests on 


145 


South Georgia, Marion Island, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard 
Island, Auckland Islands and Antipodes Islands. As a breeding bird it 
thus shares with the Georgian Diving-petrel (P. georgicus) a more southerly 
zone than that occupied by P. urinatrix. 

W. R. P. Bourne (Notes on the diving-petrels, Bull. Brit. Orn. Cl., 88, 
1968: 77-85) discusses the possibility that some of Murphy and Harper’s 
subspecies of P. urinatrix might be better aligned with P. exsill. As the 
name of one of these subspecies, berard Gaimard, antedates exsul, the 
Kerguelen Diving-petrel would be known as P. berard exsul if Bourne's 
hypothesis proves correct. 

—G. M. STORK and R. E. JOHNSTONE, 
Western Australian Museum! 


King Penguin Egg washed ashore in Western Australia.—On 10 Janu¬ 
ary 1974 a large egg, well-covered with a growth of algae, was found on 
the beach about two miles east of Augusta on the south coast of Western 
Australia. Three beach fishermen picked it up at high water mark, looked 
at it, and threw it behind the first line of sand dunes. On 12 January, 
by sheer chance. I was in Augusta and one of the fishermen, Lew Yates 
of Bridgetown, mentioned the occurrence to me. With his son and several 
children I crossed the Blackwood River and walked down the beach 
approximately to where the men had found the egg. After an hour’s 
searching and when on the point of giving up I found the egg, unbroken, 
among the sand dune vegetation. 

The egg shell was white, although slightly stained, perhaps from the 
algae. The surface was pitted and the egg was typically penguin in its 
peg-top shape. Its measurement. 100 x 75 mm, fell within the size range 
of eggs of the King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonica) as given by Servenfy, 
Serventy and Warham (The Handbook of Australian Sea-Birds, 1971) and 
by Mathews (Birds of Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands and the Australasian 
South Polar Quadrant. 1928). Unfortunately there are no specimens of 
King Penguin eggs in the Western Australian Museum with which to 
compare the Augusta egg, but there seems little doubt of its identification 
as that of a King Penguin, which was confirmed by Mr. T. E. Busn. 

I blew the egg for a specimen and was surprised to find that it 
contained a well-advanced embryo, quite undccomposcd and with no 
odour of decay. 

The most reasonable explanation of its presence is that it had been 
washed into the sea from one of the sub-antarctic nesting colonics in the 
southern Indian Ocean (Marion I., the Crozets, Kerguelen or Heard Is.). 
Being in an advanced stage of incubation it floated and was carried east¬ 
wards in the West Wind Drift. The egg-laying season of the King Penguin 
is recorded as between late November and mid-April and Mr. Yates’s 
party must have found the egg almost immediately after it had fetched 
up on the beach. 

The finding of this egg will inevitably revive speculation that the 
celebrated and mysterious Scott River “Big Egg” had similarly drifted 
here from Madagascar (its finding was reported in the West Australian, 
May 3, 1962, p. 1, and its origins discussed by R. C. Hyslop and C. J. 
Spackman, Augusta Jewel Caves, 1967, pp. 16-17, and by Harry Butler, 
Science Digest, March 1969, pp. 70-73). 

—G. A. LODGE, Boyup Brook. 


Breeding of the Larger Spiny-tailed Skink, Egernia stokesii. —In early 
July, 1975 when I was picking mallee roots on my father’s farm 14 miles 
west of Wubin I found two lizards unusual in the district. They were 10 cm 
long and were at the bottom of an old pile of roots. The soil in the area 
was a red sandy clay. At school next day they were identified as young 
Egernia stokesii. They were released where found. 

Over the next few weeks several other individuals of the species were 


146 


brought into the school, including two adults. These latter had been 
brought into Dalwallinu in a load of roots and were only found when 
the root was chopped. One skink had been injured, having a two-inch cut 
in the abdominal wall. It was kept at school for treatment. The skink 
responded to chloroform by going almost immediately into a state of 
semi-consciousness but it was difficult to induce a complete anaesthesia. 
The injury was repaired with the aid of some fishing line and adhesive 
tape and the skink appeared more alert after the operation. It was released 
at a later date but was not seen again. 

My science teacher asked me to release the healthy adult skink where 
l had previously found the young lizards on my farm. The lizard was very 
fat in appearance and proved to be a gravid female. A young was born 
on August 12 and measured 10.8 cm. At the first opportunity, when 
the young was three days old, 1 brought them to school on the school 
bus. The young one was then weighed and measured. It was 11 cm in 
length and weighed 15.5 gm. Subsequently I took the skinks back home 
but before I was able to release them the young lizard disappeared. About 
three weeks later my mother found it in the passage of our house. 1 was 
hoping to do some more research on it but coincident with the re¬ 
appearance of the lizard was the appearance of a tick on my father. The 
skink got the blame and my mother ordered its immediate release. 

—ROBERT NANKIVELL, Dalwallinu District High School. 

(Year 9 Student). 



Adult female Egcrtiia stokesii with newly born young. 


Predation on Stignwdera (Themognatha) tibialis by a fly.—The follow¬ 
ing observations were made on March 2, 1975, while we were collecting 
insects feeding on the flowers of Eucalyptus foecunda on Balladonia Station, 
W.A. near Afghan Rock (lat. 32 c 22 r S, 123°40 E). At about 10.45 a.m. 
western standard time, we saw a large specimen of a Stigmodera (Themog- 
natha) species fly into a clump of eucalyptus flowers 9 m above ground 
level at the top of a flowering tree. Some 15 minutes later in the same 
tree we noticed that a large beetle was suspended, apparently by one of its 
elytra, from a small branch underneath the blossom some 8 m above ground 
level. On closer inspection we saw that the beetle was being held by a large 
Asilid fly which was feeding on it. The fly was in a vertical position with 
its head down and was feeding on the beetle which it held vertically, also 


147 



in a head-down position. The feeding site appeared to be in the fold between 
the pro and meso-thorax. We did not observe the capture of the prey by the 
fly but assumed the prey to be the same beetle seen earlier flying into the 
tree, as this was the only large Buprestid observed in that area. Wc watched 
feeding progress for 34 hours hoping that the predator would eventually 
drop its prey and in post-prandial stupor fly to within net-reach. Eventually 
when time was running short wc collected both prey and predator by the 
only method open to us, namely by shooting with a shotgun. Both specimens 
were somewhat damaged but still identifiable (Plate I). The prey was 
identified as a female Stignwdera (Themognatha) tibialis Waterhouse, 
easily recognised by the tibial spur on the second leg and the predator 
by comparison with identified material in the South Australian Museum 
as a male Phellus piliferus D & F. We think the observation of interest as 
we arc unaware of published reports of predation occurring on any of the 
large Stignwdera species. 

We wish to thank Mrs. A. E. Crocker and family of Balladonia Station 
for permission to collect on their property; Mr. G. F. Gross of the South 
Australian Museum for assistance in identifying the fly; the W.A. Herbarium 
for identifying the tree. One of us (S.B.) gratefully acknowledges a grant-in- 
aid of research from the Australian Biological Resources Committee which 
made this work possible. 

— S. BARKER & R. INNS, Department of Zoology, University of Adelaide. 



Fig. 1.—Left, predator Phellus piliferus; right, prey Stigmodera (The¬ 
mognatha) tibialis. 


148 




THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN 


NATURALIST 


Vol. 13 November 30, 1976 No. 7 


THE SHARK BAY MOUSE PSEUDOMYS PRAECONIS AND OTHER 

MAMMALS ON BERNIER ISLAND, WESTERN AUSTRALIA 

By A. C. ROBINSON, J. F. ROBINSON, C. H. S. WATTS and 
P. R. BAVERSTOCK, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, 
Frome Road, Adelaide, South Australia. 

INTRODUCTION 

As part of a study of Australian native rodents, Bernier Island off 
the Western Australian coast was visited by two of us, A. C. and J. F. 
Robinson, between 20 and 23 April 1975. The purpose of the visit was to 
collect, under the auspices of the Western Australian Department of Fish¬ 
eries and Wildlife, three specimens of the little known Shark Bay Mouse, 
Pseudomys praeconis, and five specimens of the Ashy-Grey Mouse, Pseu- 
domys albocinercus . 

P. praeconis was first collected on Peron Peninsula, some 150 km 
south of Bernier Island, in 1858 (see Ride and Tindale-Biscoe, 1962). In 
1906 Shortridge collected a skull from Bernier Island. Both these speci¬ 
mens were referred to Pseudomys gouldii, but Thomas (1910) recognized 
it as a distinct species and named it P. (Thetomys) praeconis. Since then 
few P. praeconis have been collected and all have come from Bernier 
Island, one being collected in 1910, one in 1959 and one during a recent 
Fisheries and Wildlife Department expedition. Pseudomys albocinercus was 
first collected from Bernier Island in 1906 and Thomas (1907) described 
these insular specimens as a separate sub-species (Mus albocinercus 
squalorum) from those on the Western Australian mainland (P. albocinercus 
albocinercus). 

Collections of these species from Bernier and Doric Island up to 
1959 have been summarized in Ride and Tindale-Biscoe (1962). They 
considered P. albocinercus to be far more abundant on the islands than 
P. praeconis, an impression supported by a recent W.A. Fisheries and 
Wildlife Expedition to the islands (A. Burbidge personal communication). 

During our visit we managed to collect 12 live specimens of P. prae¬ 
conis and two P. albocinereus. 

The details of these captures plus those of other mammals either 
caught or observed during our stay form the subject of this paper. 

METHODS 

On the morning of 20 April a camp was established in the beach 
dunes behind Red Cliff Point beach and traps were set in the localities 
shown in Fig. 1. Two trap types were used, an aluminium folding Sherman 
trap 7 x 8 x 23 cm and a wire cage trap 130 x 130 x 350 cm. Traps 
were set in lines consisting of five Sherman and five cage traps set 
alternately, with a trap spacing of 20 m. These trap lines were left out for 
two nights with the exceptions of Lines 1 and 9 which were only left 
out for one night. In addition, following the capture of the first P. praeconis 
forty-five Sherman traps were set for two nights in the area shown in 
Fig. 2, in an attempt to estimate the population density of this species. 

Between 8.30 p.m. and 11.30 p.m. on 20 April we spotlighted on 
foot westward from the camp to the first dunes on the opposite side of 
the island and returned on a parallel route. The following evening between 
8.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. we spotlighted south along the sand dunes at 


149 




the back of Red Cliff Point keeping to the open areas and looking speci¬ 
fically for mice. The approximate routes are marked on Fig. 1. 

Faecal pellets were collected from traps that contained P. praeconis 
and preserved in 70% alcohol. These were later examined in the labora¬ 
tory by the method of Watts (1970). 


Scale ---- Scale » i200m 



Fig. 1.—Left, outline map of Bernier Island, with the study area (in 
the vicinity of Red Cliff Point) blocked; right, enlargement of study area 
showing the location of trap lines and spotlight tracks. 



Scale 


1 20m 


cliff 


dune 


Fig. 2.—Further enlargement of portion of study area, indicated in 
Fig. 1. (right), which was intensively trapped for Pseudomys praeconis , 
showing capture sites (males and one female). 


150 


















RESULTS 

Pseudomys praeconis, Shark Bay Mouse (Fig. 3) 

One male was caught in a Sherman trap in a dune valley on line 4 
(Pig. 1). The vegetation in this area consisted of a dense mat of Spun f ex 
longifolius and Olearia axillaris with scattered bushes of A triplex paluclosa 

a nd Rhagodia obovata . (Fig. 4). . , 

Ten males (one of which may have been a recaptutc) and one 

female were caught in Sherman traps on a one hectare area of fore dune 

hounded by a steep blow-out to the south, the sea to the east and cliffs 

to the north and west (Fig. 2). The vegetation was similar to that of the 
first area apart from the lack of A triplex and Rhagodia and the presence 
of heaps of sea grass ( Zostera), and dead bushes of the roly poly Salsola 

Both the above areas are in the Sandhill Association of Royce (1962). 

Faecal samples were collected from five individuals but one sample 
Was too heavily contaminated with bait to be useful. Uic results from 
the analysis of the remaining four are given in Table 1. The main food 


TABLE—% volume 

Individual . 

Food Item . 

ojeot. flower . 

°icot. stem/leaf. 

(Prob. from a succulent) 

o/ear/a leaf . 

fungi . 

■nsect . .... 


of different food stuffs 

eaten 

by four P. 

praeconis. 

. 483 

484 

485 

486 

. 60 

85 

50 

50 

"". 40 

15 

30 

50 

_ 

— 

20 

— 

... .... — 

_ 

T 

T 


Average 

61 

34 

5 

T 

T 


T = Trace 


eaten was the petals and anthers of some flower, probably those of 
Olearia which appeared to be the only plant flowering m he area <at 
the time. The only other significant item eaten was the leaf oi stem or a 

f ' CSh Alf'lndivlduais caught were adult. The one female had a perforate 
Va gina. All were released at their points of capture except for three anima s 



Fig. 3. — The Shark Bay Mouse (Pseudomys praeconis) from Red 
Cliff Point, Bernier Island. 


151 





that were sent to Adelaide. One of these, a male, died from unknown 
causes three days after arrival. The remaining animals were paired and 
have since produced two litters of four and three young respectively. 
The reproduction in captivity of this species will be described in another 
paper. 



Fig. 4.—Habitat of Pseiulotnys praeconis on trap line 4, Red Cliff 
Point, Bernier Island. 



Fig. 5.—Habitat of Pseudomys praeconis in the intensively trapped 
area (Fig. 2) of the Red Cliff Point, Bernier Island. 


152 




Pseudomys albocinereus, Ashy-Grey Mouse 

Two individuals (9 9) were caught in cage traps on Lines 3 and 4 
(Fig. 1). Both animals were trapped in the Sand Dune Association. One 
capture site (Line 3, Fig. 1) near a dune crest was a rather more open 
habitat than that where P. prcieconis was trapped. One of the females 
gave birth to 4 young, 23 days after capture. 

PerameT.es bougamvxlle, Little Marl (Fig. 6) 

Two individuals (19, 1$) were trapped on Line 2 and 4 (Fig. 1) 
and six were seen while spotlighting. The female had a pouch young 
approximately 10 cm in length. The male was tailess and had lost a lot of 
fur from its rump, perhaps the result of severe fighting. One of the six 
seen while spotlighting was captured. This was a female whose pouch 
contained two young approximately 7 cm in length. 

This species was found in both the Sandhill and Open Steppe Asso¬ 
ciations (Royce, 1962). 

Lagorchestes hirsutus, Western Hare-Wallaby (Fig. 7) 

Four were seen on the first night while spotlighting in the Open 
Steppe Association. Two individuals were flushed in the daytime from 
tunnels through porcupine grass, Triodia plurinervata, tussocks, also in the 
Open Steppe Association. 

Lagostrophus fasciatus, Banded Hare-Wallaby 

This species was not seen by us, although reported to be common 
on Bernier Island by Ride and Tindale-Biscoe (1962). 



Fig. 6.—The Little Marl (Perameles bougainville) from Red Cliff Point, 
Bernier Island. 


153 




Fig. 7. — The Western Hare Wallaby (Lagorchestes hirsutus) from 
the Red Cliff Point area, Bernier Island. 


Bettongia lesueur, Boodie 

An adult female was trapped on the edge of the Open Steppe 
Association on the cliff top above Red Cliff Point beach on Line 2. 
(Fig. 1). The pouch contained one young with a crown-rump length of 
165 cm. 

Burrows attributed to this species were sparsely scattered througout 
the Open Steppe Association on the island platform above Red Cliff 
Point but no animals were seen while spotlighting. 

Capra hircus, Goat 

Three goats were sighted, one on the cliff above Red Cliff Point 
beach and two on the island platform approximately 1 km SW of camp. 

DISCUSSION 

Few specimens of P. praeconis have ever been collected. However 
our trapping results indicated that between 20 and 23 April 1975 in the 
area of Red Cliff Point Beach, the species was reasonably common. This 
was an area of matted Spinifex and Olearia and a thorough search of 
other similar areas on Bernier Island may reveal more populations of this 
species. 

The original specimen of P. praeconis was collected on Peron Pen¬ 
insula in 1858. During a brief examination of the tip of Peron Peninsula 
we noticed an area very similar to the Red Cliff Point trapping area. A 
systematic search of this and other areas in and around Shark Bay may 
reveal some mainland populations of P. praeconis. 

The populations of the two wallabies Lagorchestes hirsutus and 


154 


Lagostrophus fasciatus appear to fluctuate on the islands (Ride and 
Tindale-Biscoe, 1962). It is possible that much of this apparent fluctuation 
is due to the differing habitat preference of the two species. L. hirsutus 
appears to be largely confined to the Tall Scrub Association (Royce, 
1962), while L. fasciatus favours the Open Steppe Association. As very 
little of the former association was examined during our visit, our failure 
to record L. hirsutus is not surprising, and need not necessarily be attributed 
to a decline in the numbers of this species on the island. 

There is some evidence that the vegetation of the island is recovering 
from the effects of the formerly large goat population (Ride and Tindale- 
Biscoe, 1962) which has been subjected to an intensive eradication pro¬ 
gramme (Anon, 1971; Chappie, 1972). Shrubs of Diplolaena dampieri 
heavily grazed by goats are sprouting again and the network of trails 
over the island show almost no signs of use and are gradually revegetating. 

We think the results of this short visit reinforce the opinion that 
Bernier Island is a unique and extremely valuable conservation area. It is 
hoped that this report will be of some help to future workers trying to 
reach an understanding of the mammal populations of this island; an 
understanding we feel is imperative if its unique fauna is to be preserved. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

We wish to thank the Western Australian Fisheries and Wildlife 
Department for permission to visit Bernier Island and collect specimens 
of P. praeconis and P. atbocinereus. Particular thanks are due to Harry 
Shugg for solving all our permit problems and Andrew Burbidge who 
discussed the results of the recent Fisheries and Wildlife expedition to 
Bernier Island with us. 

Thanks are due to Geoff Faulkner, Captain of the Dumpier , and 
his crew and Leon Sylvester, Fauna Warden at Carnarvon who helped 
us in many ways. 

Our special thanks must go to Jack Rochi, part owner of Peron 
Peninsula Station, who freely gave up his afternoons to drive us around 
the northern area of Peron Peninsula Station when our own transportation 
was restricted. 

The study was funded by a generous grant from the Australian 
Biological Resources Interim Council. 

REFERENCES 

ANON. 1971. Goat eradication on Bernier Island. S.W.A.N.S. Western 
Australian Department Fisheries and Fauna, 2: 60-61. 

CHAPPLE, J. L. 1972. Expedition to Bernier Island. Oryx, 11: 273-274. 

RIDE, W. D. L., and C. H. TYNDALE-BISCOE. 1962. Mammals. In 
Bernier and Dorre Islands. Fauna Bulletin No. 2. Fisheries Depart¬ 
ment, Western Australia. 

ROYCE, R. D. 1962. Botany. In Bernier and Dorre Islands. Fauna Bulletin 
No. 2. Fisheries Department, Western Australia. 

THOMAS, O. 1907. List of further collections of mammals from Western 
Australia including a series from Bernier Island obtained for Mr. W. 
E. Balston; with field notes by the collector Mr. G. C. Shortridge. 
Proc. Zool. Soc. Loud. 1906; 763-773. 

THOMAS, O. 1910. New Australian Muridae of the genus Pseudomys. 
Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 8: 607-610. 

WATTS, C. H. S. 1970. The foods eaten by some Australian desert 
rodents. S'. Aust. Nat., 44: 71-74. 


155 


BREEDING SYSTEMS IN THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN FLORA. II. 
POLLINATION OF DIPLOLAENA AND CHORILAENA (RUTACEAE) 

By G. J. KEIGHERY, Kings Park & Botanic Garden, West Perth 

ABSTRACT 

Pollination vectors for four of the seven species of the genera Chorilaena and 
Diplolaena have been studied. In all cases these were shown to bo honeyeaters 
(Meliphagidae). 

All members of the genera Diplolaena (the Native Rose) and Chorilaena 
are endemic to South-Western Australia. They both possess a unique inflor¬ 
escence morphology for the Rutaceae (Hutchison, 1969), and are considered 
ancient genera of uncertain affinity both within the Rutaceae and to each 
other (Smith-White, 1954). 

This paper forms the first in a series on the pollination biology of the 
endemic genera of the Rutaceae, none of which have been studied pre¬ 
viously. I will attempt to place these findings into the general scheme pro¬ 
posed by Keighery (1977). 

OBSERVATIONS 

Diplolaena 

The flower head consists of a drooping cluster of flowers (Fig. 1, 1) 
surrounded by bracts. The stamens and floral parts are generally orange- 
red with pale green bracts (sec Gardner, 1959: 81). During flowering the 
inflorescences are visually striking, and the plants tend to occur in clumps 
massing the blooms. Flowering commences in August continuing till mid 
November. In cultivation the inflorescence remains open for 7-10 days 
and capable of pollination. All species appear self fertile. 

Diplolaena dampieri was studied for vectors at Point Peron, Rock¬ 
ingham and Garden Island. Insect visitors to the flowers included small 
beetles, ants, cockroaches and honey bees. It is possible that the honey bee 
causes pollination, but it cannot be classified as a natural vector. 

The major vectors were the Little Wattle-bird (Anthochaera chrys- 
optera), the Brown Honeyeatcr (Lichmera indistincta), occasionally Silver- 
eyes (Zosterops gonldi) and the Singing Honeyeater (Meliphaga virescens). 

Sightings of Brown Honeyeaters visiting D. angustifolia in Yanchep 
National Park were made in October 1972. Unidentified honeyeaters were 
seen visiting a large population of D. microcephala at the base of a large 
granite rock east of Yoting in August 1974. 

Plantings of D. angustifolia, D. drunvnondii, D. grandiflora and D. 
microcephala in Kings Park and Botanic Garden are sporadically visited 
by the many types of resident honeyeaters. 

Chorilaena 

Again the inflorescence is organised into a drooping head, although 
much more loosely than that of Diplolaena (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). The flowers 
are white-pale green with light green bracts (see Erickson et al., 1974: 59) 
and stand out in the gloomy Karri understorey. The plants are gregarious 
and flower profusely between August and January. In cultivation the 
flowers remain open for 5-9 days, and the plants do not appear to be self 
fertile. 

Observations on the only species, C. quercifolia were made on a dense 
post fire thicket at the base of Mt. Chudalup, approximately 10 km south 
of Northcliffe, in October 1974. The bushes were flowering profusely 
and were being actively probed for nectar by White-cheeked honeyeaters 
(Phylidonyris niger). No other possible vectors visited the flowers during 
the periods of observation. 

SUMMARY 

Both genera are bird pollinated, and possess flower heads that are 
adapted to this mode of pollination. They are large, conspicuous, held in 
a pendant position near the alighting positions, have a good supply of 


156 




ft 3 



Fig. 1.—1. Diplolaena grandijlorci: inflorescence x 1; 2. Chorilaena querci- 
folia: inflorescence x 2; 3. C. quercifolia: single flower x 4. 


1 57 































nectar which is difficult for smaller insects to obtain and have little smell 
as birds zero in by sight not scent. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

The author gratefully acknowledges the help of Mr. Allan Burbidge 
at Mt. Chudalup and the assistance of funds from the Australian Biological 
Resources Council which made a visit to this area possible. 

REFERENCES 

ERICKSON, R., A. S. GEORGE, N. G. MARCHANT and M. K. MOR- 
COMBE. 1973. Flowers and Plants of Western Australia. A. H. and 
A. W. Reed: Sydney. 

GARDNER, C. A. 1959. Wild)lowers of Western Australia, West. Aust. 
Newspapers Press: Perth. 

HUTCHISON, J. 1969. Evolution and Phytogeny of Flowering Plants. 
Academic Press: London. 

KEIGHERY, G. J. 1977. Breeding Systems of the Western Australian 
Flora III Basic data on the Rutaceae. W. Aust. Nat. (in press). 
SMITH-WHITE, S. 1954. Chromosome Numbers in the Boronieac (Ruta¬ 
ceae) and their bearing on the evolutionary development of the Tribe 
in the Australian Flora. Aust. J. Hot., 2: 287-303. 


AVIFAUNA OF BLACK POINT—CAPE BEAUFORT AREA, 

S.W. AUSTOALIA 

By IAN ABBOTT, Zoology Department, University of Western Australia, 

Nedlands. 

I spent 22 and 23 April, 1976 investigating the avifauna of the Black 
Point-Cape Beaufort area. The Point and Cape are the S. and N. sides 
of a low (43 m) but conspicuous tesselatcd basalt tongue of land pro¬ 
jecting from the coast, about 40 km S of Nannup, between Cape Leeuwin 
and Point d’Entrecasteaux. Nothing of the birds of this area appears to 
have been published before. Access to the Point is by four-wheel drive 
track, which is passable only between January and May. The area covered 
in this report is within a radius of 3 km of Black Point. During my visit 
the weather was fine and sunny. 

The habitats available for birds are as follows. 

1. Rocky seashore and sandy beaches on either side of the Point and 
Cape. Four plant species occur on the beaches: Ammophila arenaria, Spini- 
iex hirsutus, Arctotheea populifolia, and Cakile maritima. 

2. Zone of salt tolerant plant species. Main species are Salicornia 
quinqueflora, Samolus repens, Apiutn prostratum, Carpobrotus rossii, Calo - 
cephalus brownii, Cotula sp., Lobelia alata, Poa australis , Threlkeldia 
diffusa, Scirpus nodosus, Sonchus oleraceus and Anagallis arvensis. 

3. Low heath on sand dunes, made up of thickets 1-2 m high. Main 
plant species are Jacksonia horrida (dominant), Scirpus nodosus, Lepido- 
sperma gladiatum, Olearia axillaris, Acacia decipiens, Iloronia alata. Fur¬ 
ther from the coast other species come in, the chief ones being Agonis 
flexuosa, Cassytha sp., Casuarina sp., Hibbertia cuneiformis, Sollya het- 
erophylla, Lepidospermu angustutum, Spyridium globulosom, Leucopogon 
parviflorus, Xanthorrhoea preissii, Loxocarya flexuosa, Scaevola nitida, 
Muehlenbeckia adpressa , Acacia heteroc.lita, Dryandra cuneata, and Hib¬ 
bertia sp. 

4. Swales near the coast contain Juncus swamp with odd clumps of 
a white-barked Melaleuca. Further inland thickets of Oxylobium sp., 
Banksia littoralis (flowering), to 5 m, and odd clumps of stunted Jarrah 
occur. 

Further inland still swales contain Agonis flexuosa woodlands (trees 


158 


5-7 m) with understorey of Macrozamia riedlii, Rhagodia baccata, Pimelia 
clavata, Leucopogon revolutus, etc. 

LIST OF BIRD SPECIES 

Twenty-one bird species were found. 

White-fronted Heron, Ardea novaehollandiae. One bird disturbed in 
a Juncus swamp. 

Silver Gull, Lams novaehollandiae. Flocks of 20-30 birds follow fish¬ 
ing parties around the Point and Cape, and also congregate on beaches 
(Habitat 1). 

Crested Tern, Sterna bergii. 16 were seen on a large basalt rock, 3 m 
high, 600 m W of Cape Beaufort. 

Western Rosella, Platycercus icterotis. Two birds were seen in Mela¬ 
leuca trees in Habitat 4. 

Swallow, Hirundo neoxena. About 20 birds were seen resting on, 
or flying over. Habitats 1 and 2. 

Tree Martin, II. nigricans. One seen with Swallows near Black Point. 

Pipit, Ant bus australis. Three birds were seen singly on paths through 
the southern part of Habitat 3. 

Splendid Wren, Malurus splendens. Common throughout Habitat 3; 
less common in Habitat 5. In small parties. 

Emu Wren, Stipiturus tnalachurus. Very common in Habitat 3. In 
small parties. 

Broad-tailed Thornhill, Acantliiza apicalis. Not as common as Mal¬ 
urus, Stipiturus or Sericornis. Found in Habitat 5 and taller portions of 
Habitat 3. 

Spotted Scrub Wren, Sericornis maculatus. Commoner than Malurus 
in Habitats 3 and 5. Usually in pairs. 

White-breasted Robin, Eopsaltria georgiana. Single birds seen or heard 
occasionally in Habitat 5 or in trees in Habitat 4. 

Grey Fantail, Rhipidura fuliginosa. Found in pairs throughout Habi¬ 
tat 5 and occasionally in taller parts of Habitat 3. 

Willy Wagtail, R. leucophyrys. One seen briefly in Habitats 3 and 4 
on 23 April. 

Golden Whistler, Pachycephala pectoralis. Commonly seen or heard 
in Habitat 5. 

Silvereye, Zosterops gouldi. Seen or heard in small flocks throughout 
Habitats 3, 4 and 5. 

Spincbill, Acanthorhynchus superciliosus. Common in Habitat 3. 

New Holland Honeyeater, Phylidonyris novaehollandiae. Very com¬ 
mon in Banksia littoralis groves and Oxylobium thickets in Habitat 4. 

Red-eared Firetail, Zonaeginthus oculatus. Two birds seen together 
briefly in Habitat 3 on 22 April. 

Grey Butcher-Bird, Cracticus torquatus. Heard calling several times 
on both days in Habitat 5. This record is c. 40 km S. of the southern limit 
of the distribution of the species as recorded by Serventy & Whittell 
(Birds of Western Australia , 1967). 

Raven, Corvus coronoides. Two briefly appeared on 22 April. 

DISCUSSION 

The area covered by this report is relatively undisturbed and should 
be more thoroughly investigated, especially to determine whether Dasy- 
ornis brachypterus, Atrichornis clamosus and Psophodes nigrogularis occur 
there or nearby. Several species that I would have expected to occur were 
not found. These include Sooty Oystercatcher, Rock Parrot, Kookaburra, 
Little Grass-bird and Reed Warbler. Visits during other times should 
determine whether these absences are permanent or not. 


159 


A SURVEY OF TERRESTRIAL VERTEBRATES IN 
THE CARNARVON REGION, W.A. 

By M. G. BROOKER and A. J. ESTBERGS, Division of Wildlife Reseat 
C.S.I.R.O., P.O. Box 84, Lyneham, A.C.T. 2602 cn ’ 

INTRODUCTION 

This paper records the terrestrial vertebrates observed during a studv 
of the Wedge-tailed Eagle in the Carnarvon region of Western Australia 



1969 

1970 

1971 

1972 

1973 






■ 

n 

i 

T-t 

1- 





i] 


H 

3 

Lj 

■ I 

i 

c 

| 

—H 





II 

m 

H 


1 

m 

\\ 

\\ 

m 

“i 

L B 




6! 

Q 

1 -i 



i 

-JL 

J 

I 

1 








i 






Figure 2.—Timetable of visits to Carnarvon area, 1969-73. 


160 


































































Most of the data were obtained on Callagiddy. a sheep station of 650 km 2 , 
situated 40 km south-east of Carnarvon. Some records were made on 
neighbouring Brickhouse station. (See Fig. 1). 

The observations were made during the five year period 1969 to 
1973; the majority of visits being in winter and spring. No visits were 
made during summer, (sec Fig. 2). 

THE ENVIRONMENT 

Topography and soil: Callagiddy is mostly flat with some high north- 
south sand ridges. There are numerous claypans and swamps which hold 
water after heavy rain. The soil is predominantly coarse red sand. 

Land use: The station has run sheep for most of this century with a 
few cattle and horses. Water for livestock is provided by a system of 
windmills, bore drains and dams. The underground water has a high 
salinity. 

Rainfall: The area has a low but reliable winter rainfall and a low 
unreliable summer rainfall resulting from cyclone activity. The monthly 
medians for Carnarvon and the monthly rainfall for Callagiddy home¬ 
stead 1969-1973 are shown in Fig. 3. 

Vegetation: Acacia scrub of various densities and heights dominates 


(a) 

20 

10 

0 



10 

0 


1972 


1969 

'-Jl r. 


(b) 



20 


1973 



Figure 3.—(a) Monthly rainfall for Callagiddy 1969-73. (b) Monthly median 
rainfall for Carnarvon (66 years). 


161 























the vegetation. Slimmer rainfall results in a ground cover of Blow-away 
Grass (Aristida browniana) while winter rain is followed by the germina¬ 
tion of Compositae e.g. Helipterum splendidum, Cephalipterum drumrnondii, 
Brachycome cheilcarpa. For the purpose of this paper, the vegetation of 
Callagiddy has been classed into six habitat types, mainly on the basis 
of the floristic composition of the tree and shrub components. 

1. Sand-ridge: Dominated by a tall (to 10 m) single-stemmed form 
of Acacia quadrirnarginae known locally as Gidgie. The understory is 
composed predominantly of young Gidgie with Eremophila maitlandii, 
Stylobasium spathulatum, Adriana tomentosa and occasional Solarium spp. 
and other Eremophila species. The edges of sand ridges arc usually lined 
with dense thickets of Sandhill Wattle (Acacia schlerosperma) and Curara 
(Acacia tetragonophylla). 

2. Dense acacia scrub: Basically a mosaic of large areas of Wanya 
(Acacia linophylla), Snakewood (A. cuthbertsonii) and Jam, the multi¬ 
stemmed form of A. quadrimarginea. Sandhill Wattle and Curara are 
found as a lower layer throughout this formation together with at least 
21 other shrub species. 

3. Coastal flats: Open habitat of Bluebush (Kochia sp.) with occasional 
clumps of Snakewood, Curara, and Standback (Acacia sp.). 

4. Inland flats: Open habitat with large areas of bare ground. Clumps 
of Eremophila fraseri and scattered Myall (Acacia sp.), Prickly Wattle 
(A. victoriae), Curara, Cassia spp. and various Eremophila species. 

5. Swamps: This habitat is dominated by Coolibahs (Eucalyptus mic¬ 
rotheca) with Teucrium racemosum and Melaleuca uncinata in lower areas. 

6. Bore drain: Along the bore-drains arc dense, tall (to 6 m) stands of 
Prickly Wattle which are often heavily parasitised by the mistletoe Lysiana 
casuarinae. 


METHODS 

Plants: Material collected from most trees and shrubs and some of 
the grasses and herbs on Callagiddy were identified by the staff of the 
Western Australian Herbarium. Acacia specimens were identified by Dr. 
M. D. Tindale of the National Herbarium, Sydney. The collection is in 
the CSIRO Herbarium, Canberra. 

Frogs and Reptiles: Specimens collected were identified by Dr. G. 
M. Storr of the Western Australian Museum where most of the specimens 
are housed. 

Birds: During each visit, an attempt was made to record all birds 
present on Callagiddy. Although information on density, habitat preference 
and breeding was not collected systematically, some indication of status 
and habitat preference is shown for species other than water-birds. Status 
classes used are S—sedentary; PN—partial nomad (always present but 
numbers fluctuate); TN—true nomad (always present in good season and 
always rare or absent in dry season); M—migrant (absent autumn, present 
late winter-spring, regardless of the nature of the season); V—vagrant; 
SU—status unknown. Habitat preference is given by the number of the 
habitat as defined in Vegetation above. 

Most of the breeding records have been forwarded to the RAOU 
Nest Record Scheme. Birds are listed mainly according to the Index of 
Australian Bird Names (CSIRO). 

Mammals: Sightings were recorded and traps for small mammals 
were set during two visits. No special effort was made to collect bats. 

LIST OF VERTEBRATES 

Amphibia 

Litoria rubella 
Neobatrachus centralis 
N- wilsmorei 


162 


Rcptilia 


Gekkonidae 



Diplodactylus pulcher 

D. spinigerus 

D. squarrosus 

Gehyra variegata 

Nephrurns levis occidentalis 

Pygopodidae 


Pygopus nigriceps 

Agamidae 

A mphibolurus inermis 

A. maculatus 

A. minor 

A. reticulatus 

A. scntulatus 

Moloch horridus 

Scincidae 

Ctenotus mimetes 

C. panthcrinus 

Egernia depressa 

E. stokesi 

Lerista muelleri 

L. nichollsi 

Menetia greyii 

Tiliqua occipitalis 

Trachysatirus rugosus 

Varanidae 


Varan us caudolineatus 

V. ere mi us 

V. gouldii 

Typhlopidae 

Typhlina australis 

T. nigroterminata 

Boidae 

Liasis childreni 

Elapidae 

Demansia nuchalis 

D. modest a 


D. psammophis reticulata 
Denisonia monachus 


AVES 

Dromains novaehollandiae (Emu). Common in all habitats and breeding 
recorded each year except 1973. Earliest record of eggs (seven) on 8 May 
1971. Sail. 

Podiceps poliocephalus (Hoary-headed Grebe). Present August and Oct¬ 
ober 1971 and breeding recorded August 1971. 

Podiceps novaehollandiae (Little Grebe). A pair in flooded area Aug¬ 
ust 1971. 

Ardea pacifica (White-necked Heron). Seen occasionally on dams. 

A. novaehollandiae (White-faced Heron). Not common but one or two 
birds seen on dams and bore drains during most visits. Three nests found 
26 August 1972 near bore drain on Brickhouse contained respectively four 
eggs; one egg three chicks; and five chicks. 

Threskiornis spinicollis (Straw-necked Ibis). Recorded only in May to 
August and none in 1973. 

Anas gibberifrons (Grey Teal). Recorded June 1970, July to October 
1971 and August 1972. Nest with eight eggs found in August 1971. 

A. rhynchotis (Shoveller). Recorded in August 1971. 

Malacorhvnchus membranaceus (Pink-eared Duck). Pair observed Aug¬ 
ust 1972. 

Chenoneita jubata (Wood Duck). Recorded during periods of local 
flooding (May and June 1971 and August 1972). 


163 


Milvus migrans (Fork-tailed Kite). One recorded June 1970. V 
Lophoictinia isura (Square-tailed Kite). One sighting in June 1972. V 
Haliastur indus (Red-backed Sea-Eagle). Seen on the western edg e 
of Callagiddy during June 1972 and August 1973. V 

H. sphenurns (Whistling Kite). Seen during most winter visits. N 0 
records for March, October or November. SU all 

Accipiter fasciatus (Australian Goshawk). Recorded all years except 
1973. S All 

A. cirrocephalus (Collared Sparrowhawk). Recorded occasionally 
usually along bore drains. S All 

Aqaila ciudax (Wedge-tailed Eagle). Common in all habitats on Cal. 
lagiddy. Papers on a detailed study of this species arc in preparation. S All 
Hieraaetus morphtioides (Little Eagle). Seen during most visits but 
never common. S All 

Circus assimilis (Spotted Harrier). Common during 1971, seen in 
August 1970 and 1972 and not recorded 1969 or 1973. An estimated 
six pairs present on Callagiddy in August, 1970. TN All 

C. approximans (Swamp Harrier). One bird seen on Brickhous e 
October 1972. 

Falco longipennis (Little Falcon). Seen occasionally in all years ex¬ 
cept 1969 and 1973. SU All 

F. berigora (Brown Falcon). Common in all habitats. A flock of 13 
recorded at 17.30 hours on 23 June 1970. Of six nests inspected in late 
August, five contained eggs (1, 2, 3, 3, 3) and one contained three large 
chicks. S All 

F. cenchroides (Nankeen Kestrel). Numerous in all habitats with an 
apparent peak in numbers during March 1973. Breeding recorded August 
to October each year and details of nests inspected in late August 1971-73 
shown in Table 1 below. 


TABLE 1.—SUMMARY OF BREEDING DATA FOR NANKEEN KESTREL NESTS INSPECTED 
LATE AUGUST. 1971-73 ON CALLAGIDDY. 




Stage of breeding 



Nest ready 

Eggs pressent 

Chicks present 

Date 

No. 

No. 

No. No. 


nests 

nests Numbers of eggs 

nests chicks 


23-29 August 1971 

1 

5 

2,3,3,4,4 

2 

2.3 

26 August-1 September 1972 

1 

13 

1.2,3,4,4,4,4.4,5,5.5,5,6 

0 

— 

20 August 1973 

0 

3 

1,1.1 

0 

— 


All were in old crow nests except one in a hollow Coolibah. One 
nest contained two downy chicks on 30 August 1971 and four fresh eggs 
on 17 October 1971. S All 

Turnix velox (Little Quail). Common in grassy area (Aristida) in some 
years (June-October 1970, March-November 1972) and rare in other 
years (one record for 1971, none for 1973). Nests with eggs found 
August and October 1971 and September 1972. TN 3, 4, 5 

Gallinula ventralts (Black-tailed Native-hen). Large numbers present 
around swamps in June and August 1972 and some still present in October. 
Recently-vacated nests found in cane grass swamp on Brickhouse 27 
August. 

Fulica alra (Coot). A pair on flooded area, August 1971. 

Eupodotis australis (Bustard). Rare—an average of one observed each 
year. SU all 

Vanellus tricolor (Banded Plover). Recorded during all visits but num¬ 
bers present varied. (Only one pair observed during seven days in August 


164 







1970, “numerous” in May 1971). Nest with four eggs, July 1971; runners 
seen August 1972. PN 3, 4, 5 

Erythrogonys cinctus (Red-kneed Dotterel). One recorded August 1972. 

Chciradrius melanops (Black-fronted Dotterel). Present August and 
October 1971 and August 1972. 

Peltohyas australis (Australian Dotterel). Recorded June 1972. V 

Himantopus himantopus (White-headed Stilt). One recorded June 1972. 

Recurvirostra novaehollandiae (Red-necked Avocet). Present August 
1972. 

Tringa hypoleucos (Common Sandpiper). One seen August 1972. 

Stiltia isabclla (Australian Pratincole). A flock was recorded on Brick- 
house, August 1972. 

Chlidonias hybrida (Whiskered Tern). Seen occasionally on western 
edge of Callagiddy. 

Columba livia (Domestic Pigeon). Seen occasionally at Callagiddy 
homestead. V 

Geopelia striata (Peaceful Dove). Not recorded on Callagiddy although 
common on Gascoyne River at Carnarvon and Rocky Pool. 

G. cuneata (Diamond Dove). Not common and usually found in 
Coolibah habitat. Breeding recorded August 1970. S5 

Phaps chalcoptera (Common Bronzewing). Rare with only two records 
(June 1972 and August 1973), in sandridge habitat. On both occasions, the 
bird seen was incubating. SI 

Ocyphaps lophotes (Crested Pigeon). One of most common species 
and found in all habitats. Breeding recorded August 1970. S All 

Cacatua roseicapilla (Galah). Numerous in all habitats and breeding 
recorded each year from August to November. Of 13 nests inspected 20-23 
August 1971, four were lined, one contained two eggs, five three eggs, 
and three four eggs. S All 

C. sanguinea (Little Corella). One record for Callagiddy (June 1970), 
although this species common in Carnarvon. V 

Nymphicus hollandicus (Cockatiel). Present during good seasons (May 
and June 1970, July and October 1971 and August and October 1972). 
TN All 

Melopsittacus undulatus (Budgerygah). Common in good seasons 
especially 1972 when present from March to November. No records for 
1969 and only one for 1973 (August). Breeding noted August and October 

1971. TN All 

Barnardius zonarius (Port Lincoln Parrot). Nomadic in this area— 
no records for 1969 and 1970, present March-June 1971-73. In each of 
the years when present, the previous summer had been dry suggesting a 
movement from the inland to the coast under these conditions. During 
March 1972, they appeared to be feeding exclusively on moth larvae 
(Brooker, 1973). SU 1, 2, 4, 5 

Psephotus varius (Many-coloured Parrot). Common in all habitats 
and nests found in hollows in dead Gidgies and in vertical metal pipes 
(internal diameter — 90 mm) used as gate and sign posts. Eggs found 
August and early September with clutch of seven recorded September 1972. 
S All 

Neophema bourkii (Bourke’s Parrot). Present all years and usually 
seen in sandridge and thick Wanya habitats on the eastern end of Calla¬ 
giddy. Two breeding records from same broken-off dead Gidgie (four eggs, 
31 August 1971 and three eggs, 1 September 1972). S 1, 2 

N. elegans (Elegant Parrot). Recorded on coastal side of Callagiddy 
but not common (no records for 1969 or 1973). SU 2, 3 

Cuculus pallidas (Pallid Cuckoo). Common from March to October 
in 1970, 1971 and 1972. Uncommon in dry years (1969 and 1973). PN 
All 


165 


Chrysococcyx osculans (Black-eared Cuckoo). Common during 1971 
and seen occasionally during other years (March to October). PN All 
C. basalis (Horsfield Bronze-Cuckoo). Seen all years but not as com¬ 
mon as Black-eared Cuckoo. No March records. PN All 

Ninox novaeseelandiae (Boobook Owl). Present all years. Appears to 
call more frequently during June. S 1, 5 

N. connivens (Barking Owl). Not seen but a prolonged bout of call¬ 
ing (reminiscent of the distress call of the domestic fowl) on the night of 
7 July 1969 was attributed to this species. V 

Podargus strigoides (Tawny Frogmouth). Seen occasionally. Three 
occupied nests found late August 1972—two contained one egg and one 
small chick and the other two fully-feathered chicks. One nest was in a 
Coolibah which also contained occupied nests of a Nankeen Kestrel and 
Little Crow. S. All 

Aegotheles cristatus (Owlet-nightjar). Common in all habitats and 
heard calling March to October. The recorded breeding season was from 
July to October and clutch size three or four. Of seven birds disturbed 
during daylight in 1973, two were brown, one grey-brown and four grey. 
S All 

Caprimulgus guttatus (Spotted Nightjar). Three records (May 1971, 
August 1972 and June 1973). S 1, 2 

Dacelo leachii (Blue-winged Kookaburra). Present at Rocky Pool (see 
Figure 1), breeding observed October 1969. 

Halcyon pyrr/iopygia (Red-backed Kingfisher). Present during four 
visits (August 1969, May and June 1970 and August 1972). Breeding 
recorded August 1969. SU 5 

H. sand a (Sacred Kingfisher). One recorded (June 1970). V 
Merops ornatus (Rainbow Bee-eater). Not recorded on Callagiddy 
although common along Gascoyne River at Carnarvon (definite records 
during winter of 1970 (23 June), 1972 (also 23 June) and 1973 (June)). 

Mirafra javanica (Singing Bushlark). One recorded on eastern end 
Callagiddy, October 1972. V 

Cheramoeca lencosternum (White-backed Swallow). Two records (June 
1969 and 1970) on coastal side of Callagiddy. V 

Hirundo neoxena (Welcome Swallow). Common at all mills, dams 
and bore drains. Breeding recorded June 1969 and August 1970. S 5 
Pctrochelidon nigricans (Tree-Martin). Common except in dry years 
(one record in each of 1969 and 1973). Nesting at Rocky Pool, October 
1969. PN All 

Anthus novaeseelandiae (Australian Pipit). Common. Breeding recorded 
June 1969, August and October 1971 and August 1972. S 3, 4, 5 

Coracina novaehollandiae (Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike). Common in 
all habitats. Breeding observed August to November. An immature was 
seen assisting adult birds at nest containing two chicks October 1971. 
Large flocks of juveniles recorded on Callagiddy, June 1969. PN All 
Pteropodocys maxima (Ground Cuckoo-shrike). Recorded June 1972. V 
Lalage siteurii (White-winged Triller). Common all habitats June to 
October. No record in March and only one in May (1970). Occupied nests 
found August 1970 and October 1971 and August 1972. Nests usually 
placed in horizontal forks of trees and shrubs 1-6.5 m high. Nests often 
found in close proximity to one another. Five occupied nests w'ere found 
in two adjacent Coolibahs on 2 September 1972, one nest containing six 
eggs, the others two or three eggs. M All 

Petroica goodenovii (Red-capped Robin). Present in winter and spring 
all years although only one 1973 record (June). Not common—only one 
pair during eight days in August 1970 and one pair in eight days Ar>ril 
1972. Not recorded in March. Breeding recorded October 1972. PN All 
Melanodrvas ciicullata (Hooded Robin). Not common but recorded 
during most visits. Only one March record (1973). PN All 


166 


Pachycephala rufiventris (Rufous Whistler). Common especially on 
sand-ridges. Not recorded March 1971 and 1973. S 1, 2 

Colluricincla rufiventris (Western Shrike-Thrush). Common during 
all visits and in all habitats. Nests with eggs found late August. S All 
Oreoica gutturalis (Crested Bell-bird). Common in all habitats. Breed¬ 
ing observed August-October. S All 

Rbipidura fttliginosa (Grey Fantail). Seen occasionally on sand-ridges; 
all sightings from May-August period. SU 1 

R. leucophrys (Willy Wagtail). Seen in all habitats but number present 
appears to vary e.g. recorded as numerous May 1971 but only two pairs 
seen in five days March 1971 and only one pair in 13 days in August 
1971. Breeding recorded September 1969 and May 1971. PN All 

Sphenostonui cristatum (Wedgcbill). Common in all habitats except 
open flats. Breeding recorded August-October and clutch size two or three. 
Nests usually built in Curaras and Sandhill Wattles 0.5-2 m above ground 
and often in creepers growing in these wattles. S 1, 2, 3 

Cinclosoma sp. (Quail-Thrush). Rare. Three sightings all in vegetation 
fringing sand-ridges. Species not certain but probably cinnamomeum. S 1 
Pomatostomus temporalis (Grey-crowned Babbler). Present at Rocky 
Pool. 

P. superciliosus (White-browed Babbler). Common in all habitats. 
Breeding recorded June to October. S All 

Cinclorhamphus mathewsi (Rufous Song-lark). Recorded twice (August 
1970 and 1972). TN 2, 3, 5 

C. cruralis (Brown Song-Lark). Common in good season (1970-72), 
uncommon in 1969 and not recorded 1973. Breeding observed August 
1970-72. TN 3, 4, 5 

Malurus splendens (Splendid Wren). Present in denser thickets espe¬ 
cially along bore-drains. S 2, 6 

M. lamberti (Variegated Wren). Common and usually seen in Wanya 
and along sand-ridge fringes. Nesting recorded August. Nest containing egg 
of Horsfield Bronze-Cuckoo found August 1971. S 1, 2, 5. 6 

M. leuconotus (White-winged Wren). Common on open flats between 
sand-ridges and in Kochia flats on coastal side of Callagiddy. Breeding 
observed May to October. Nest containing chick of Cuckoo (Black-eared 
or Horsfield Bronze) found August 1972. S 3, 4, 5 

Sericornis maculatus (Spotted Scrub-wren). A pair present along bore- 
drain on Brickhouse May 1971. 

Pyrrholaemus brunneus (Rcdthroat). Recorded during most visits but 
not common; appears to prefer Wanya habitat. S 1, 2 

Calamanthus fuliginosus (Field-wren). Not recorded on Callagiddy 
but common in coastal samphire flats near Carnarvon. 

Aphelocephala leucopsis (Southern Whitcface). Common in all habi¬ 
tats and breeding observed July-Scptember. S All 

A. nigricincta (Banded Whitcface). Recorded twice (June 1969 and 
August 1972) on eastern end of Callagiddy. In both cases, one pair seen 
in flock of Southern Whitefaces. V 

Acanthiza apicalis (Broad-tailed Thornhill). Not common and most 
records from along sand-ridge fringes. S 1 

A. uropygialis (Chestnut-rumped Thornhill). Common and usually 
seen on sand-ridges. Nests found in broken-off dead Gidgies and breeding 
recorded July-Septcmbcr. S 1, 2 

Gerygone fttsca (Western Warbler). Isolated birds seen June-August. 
SU 1, 2 

Neositta pileata (Black-capped Sittella). Observed during most visits 
but not common. Breeding recorded August 1971 and September 1972. 
S 1, 2, 3, 5 

Climacteris affinis (White-browed Tree-creeper). Not common and 


167 


always observed on sand-ridges. Breeding recorded August 1970, October 
1971 and 1972. SI 

C. melonura (Black-tailed Tree-creeper). Two adults seen feeding 
fledgling at Rocky Pool, October 1973. 

Acanthagenys rufogularis (Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater). Recorded all 
visits. Breeding observed August and October. S All 

Manorina flavigula (Yellow-throated Miner). Present during all visits. 
Breeding recorded August and Septemher. S All 

Meliphaga virescens (Singing Honeyeater). Common in all habitats. 
Breeding recorded June to October. S All 

A7. penicillata (White-plumed Honeyeater). Common in Coolibah 
habitat. Breeding observed August-October. S 5 

Phylidonyris albifrons (White-fronted Honeyeater). Present May-August 

1970 and June-August 1972. Nesting recorded June 1970. SU All 
Certhionyx variegatus (Pied Honeyeater). Common in the winter and 

spring when'season good (1970-72), rare in dry years. Nests containing 
eggs or chicks were found in August 1970-72. TN 1, 2 

Ephthianura tricolor (Crimson Chat). Common all years except 1973 
when it was recorded only in June. Breeding observed August 1970 and 
1972. PN All 

Dicaeum hirundinaceiun (Mistletoe-bird). Present May 1971 and March- 
June 1972. SU 1, 5 

Pardalojus substriatus (Striated Pardalote). Recorded in June 1972 
and 1973. SU 1, 5 

Zosterops lute a (Yellow Silvereye). Two birds seen May 1971 in flock 
of Western Silvereyes along bore-drain on Brickhouse (13 km from coast). 

Z. gotildi (Western Silvereye). Recorded occasionally on coastal side 
of Callagiddy (May 1971, April and June 1972). SU 3 

Neochmia rujicauda (Star Finch). Recorded on Callagiddy May 1970 
and at Rocky Pool. June 1970. V 

Poephila guttata (Zebra Finch). Common during all visits. Most 
breeding records from period August-October although fledglings were 
present May 1971. One clutch of eight recorded August 1971. Nests 
frequently found in sticks of Wedge-tailed Eagle nests especially those 
occupied; also old corvid nests when occupied by Brown Falcons or Nan¬ 
keen Kestrels. One occupied Brown Falcon nest had two occupied Zebra 
Finch nests attached to it with two others attached to nearby foliage. S All 
Grallina cyanoleuca (Magpie-Lark). Present near all permanent water. 
Breeding recorded August-October. S 5 

Artamus leucorhynchus (White-breasted Wood-Swallow). Present on 
coastal plain near Carnarvon. June 1970. 

A. personatus (Masked Wood-Swallow). Common August-October all 
years except 1969 and occasionally seen before and after this period. 
Large flocks seen in May and August 1970. Breeding recorded August and 
September 1970-72 and October 1971. Six nests inspected 23-29 August 

1971 contained 1-3 eggs. Of 20 inspected 28 August-1 September 1972, 
five contained one egg. eight contained two eggs, five contained three 
eggs and one contained two chicks. Nest invariably lined with the twining 
herb Stenopetalum anfractum. TN All 

A. superciliosus (White-browed Wood-Swallow). A pair seen August 
1972. V 

A. cinereus (Black-faced Wood-Swallow). Common in all habitats. 
Clumping observed twice on 9 May 1971 —10 birds at 12.00 hours and 
five at 12.30 hours. Breeding records from August-October. In period 
20-30 August 1971. four nests contained two to four eggs and two con¬ 
tained four chicks. From 22 August-2 September 1972, four nests contained 
2-3 eggs and two contained two chicks. S All 

Cracticus torquatus (Grey Butcher-bird). Common in all habitats. 
Nesting reported June (1970) and August (all years). S All 


168 


C. nigrogularis (Pied Butcher-bird). Common and appears to be 
restricted to areas adjacent to mills and swamps. Breeding recorded August 
and September. S 5 

Gynmorhina tibicen (Black-backed Magpie). Not common and local¬ 
ised in distribution. Nesting records in August and September S 1, 2 

G. dorsalis (Western Magpie). Less common than preceding species 
and no breeding records S 1, 2 

Corvus bennetti (Little Crow). Common all habitats. Nesting com¬ 
menced June in 1970, July-August other years. Of 12 nests inspected late 
August 1971, three had fresh lining, six contained 2-6 eggs and three 
contained chicks. In late August 1972, 14 were inspected; one was lined, 
three contained 3-4 eggs; and ten contained 2-4 chicks, some ready to 
fledge. A nest with seven eggs recorded on Brickhouse on 11 July 1970. 
S All 

C. orru (Australian Crow). Less numerous than Little Crows and 
usually found in Coolibahs around mills and swamp. S 5 

MAMMALIA 

Tackyglossus aculeatus (Echidna) Tracks seen in sand-ridge habitat. 

Macropus robust us (Euro). Confined to sand-ridge and thick acacia 
scrub. Not as numerous as red kangaroos. 

Megaleia rufa (Red Kangaroo). Common in all habitats. 

Nyctophilus geoffroyi (Lesser Long-eared Bat). One collected from 
hollow tree August 1971. 

Oryctolagus cuniculus (Rabbit). Occurs in isolated pockets mostly 
in acacia scrub habitat. No apparent increase in density or extension of 
range following good seasons. 

Mas musculus (House Mouse). Present at Callagiddy homestead and 
shearing shed. 

Pseudomys hermannsburgensis (Pebble Mound Mouse). Tracks attri¬ 
buted to this species seen in sand-ridge country after rain. One trapped 
August 1972. 

Vulpes vulpes (Fox). Present in all habitats. 

Felis cat us (Cat). Seen in all habitats. 

Capra hircus (Goat). Common in thick acacia habitats where flocks 
exceeding 20 individuals often recorded. 

DISCUSSION 

A total of 152 vertebrates were recorded on Callagiddy in 5 years. 
The majority of species were birds. Native mammals were poorly repre¬ 
sented. Reptiles were well represented (31 species) although Pianka (1969) 
has recorded 40 species in one sand-ridge habitat in the Great Victoria 
Desert. The Bobtail Skink (Trachysaurus rugosus) was probably intro¬ 
duced to the banana plantations along the river at Carnarvon (G. M. 
Storr pers. comm.). It is now found on the western side of Callagiddy, an 
extension of 30 km. 

There seem to be little published data on the bird fauna of this 
area. Kikkawa and Pearse (1969) considered there were 63 species of 
land birds in 12 selected orders in the Carnarvon area. Data presented 
here lists 83 species from these same orders and this figure does not 
include Mangrove Golden Whistler (Pachycephala melanura). White- 
breasted Whistler (P. lanioides), Samphire Thornhill (Acanthiza iredalei) 
and Dusky Warbler (Gerygone tenebrosa) which were recorded at Bush 
Bay (see Fig. I) by the 4th Harold Hall Expedition in June, 1966 (Hall, 
1974). 

Table 2 shows the number of bird species found in each of the defined 
habitats. 


169 


TABLE 2—NUMBER OF BIRD SPECIES (excluding vagrants and water-birds) ON CALLA- 
GIDDY ACCORDING TO STATUS AND HABITAT. 


Status 

Total 

Species 

1. Sand ridge 

2. Dense Acacia 

scrub 

3. Coastal flat J j 

— 

5> 

4. Inland flat 

5. Swamp 

6. Bore-drain 

Sedentary 

48 

38 

35 

28 

25 

34 

25 

Partial nomad 

10 

9 

9 

10 

10 

10 

9 

True nomad 

8 

6 

7 

8 

7 

8 

6 

Migrant 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

Status unknown 

11 

9 

6 

5 

5 

8 

4 

TOTAL 

78 

63 

58 

52 

48 

61 

45 


Sand-ridge and swamp appear to contain the greatest species diversity 
although neither are as diverse botanically as the dense acacia scrub. The 
sand-ridge vegetation is dominated by Gidgie which grows to twice the 
height of other trees in the area and so probably gives this habitat the 
greatest plant height diversity. Swamp vegetation is dominated by Cooli- 
bah which is the only native eucalypt on Callagiddy. 

The same two trees (Gidgies and Coolibahs) are important nest sites 
for a number of bird species which either construct stick nests (diurnal 
raptors, herons, butcher-birds, magpies, crows) or require hollows (some 
ducks, parrots, owlet-nightjars and some passerines). 

Gidgie has a long straight trunk. During cyclones a number are 
broken, usually 1-3 m from the ground. The resultant stump becomes 
hollow from the top and at least 10 species have been recorded nesting 
in these hollows. Gidgie is used extensively in the Carnarvon area for 
fence posts which also hollow with age and provide nest sites, especially 
for wood-swallows. 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

The authors are indebted to Dr G. M. Storr, Western Australian 
Museum, Dr M. D. Tindalc, National Herbarium, Sydney and the staff 
of the Western Australian Herbarium for identifying specimens. Mark 
Jones, Don Hart and John Bywater assisted in the collection of material. 
Mr B. V. Fennessy made many valuable comments during the preparation 
of the manuscript. Frank Knight drew the figures. 

Thanks are also due to the owners of Callagiddy (Jim Waite, Bert 
Johnston and their families) and to the late Frank Burt of Brickhouse for 
their hospitality and cooperation during this study. 

REFERENCES 

BROOKER, M. G. 1973. Port Lincoln Parrots feeding on moth larvae. 
Emu , 73: 27-8. 

HALL, B. P. 1974. Birds of the Harold Hall Australian Expeditions 1962- 
70. British Museum (Natural History) Publ. No. 745. 

KIKKAWA, J., and K. PEARSE. 1969. Geographical distribution of land 
birds in Australia—A numerical analysis. Aust. J. Zool., 17: 821-40. 
PIANKA, E. R. 1969. Habitat specificity, speciation, and species diversity 
in Australian desert lizards. Ecology, 50: 498-502. 


170 











rrffding of the white-tailed black cockatoo 

IN CAPTIVITY 

Bv D A SAUNDERS, Division of Wildlife Research, 

' ’ C.S.I.R.O., Helena Valley, W.A. 

The CSIRO Division of Wildlife Research at Helena Valley, W.A. 
has maintained a collection of short-billed White-tailed Black Cockatoos 
(Calyptorhynchus baudinii latirostris) in captivity since 1967. Initially, 
there were two males and two females caught in the wild and held in a 
converted chicken run. No nest hollows were supplied and these birds 
made no attempt to breed. 

In 1970, a large aviary was constructed (12 metres long x 6 metres 
high x 6 metres wide) around an old wandoo (Eucalyptus redunca), which 
was pruned to fit inside the aviary. Four nesting hollows were placed 
in the aviary, two attached to the wandoo and the other two to the side 

of the aviary. _ . 

In late November 1970, a pair were released into the large aviary, 
the other pair remaining in the small cage. In late October 1971 the 
female in the large cage (Female A) laid one egg which was broken 
shortly after. A second egg was laid in the same hollow but it was also 
broken. It appeared as if a claw had been pushed through the shell. 

In the third week of September 1972, Female A laid one egg but 
made no attempt to incubate it. 

In October 1971 a new bank of holding aviaries was constructed, 
each flight area being 4.9 metres long x 2.4 metres high x 1.2 metres 
wide. Each flight had at least one hollow log at the end which also had 
weather screening round it. In November of that year five females and 
two males were caught in the wild and added to the collection. One of 
the females and one of the males were paired in the wild and they were 
caught together with their fledgling (Pair B). These birds and the pair 
from the old small cage were placed in the new aviaries, one male and one 
female together in each flight with the surplus females being placed 
together. 

None of these pairs made any attempt to breed in these aviaries in 
1972. In August 1973 Pair B were placed in the large aviary with Pair A. 
In the second week of September, Female A laid one egg, then another 
about one week later. She incubated these eggs for just over the 29 days 
required for incubation. Neither egg hatched and the female deserted. 

Female B laid her first egg around 24 October 1973 and incubated 
it until it hatched in the third week in November. At about this time 
Female A laid two more eggs and incubated them for a month but neither 
hatched and she deserted them, too. The nestling of Female B died about 
6 weeks after hatching. Neither pair made any further attempt to breed 
that season. 

In 1974 Female A died of unknown causes and her male was removed 
from the big cage, leaving Pair B alone in the cage. During the breeding 
season of 1974, extensive earth works were carried out near the cockatoo 
cages and none of the birds attempted to breed. 

In 1975 Female B laid one egg around 20 October in the same hollow 
she used in 1973. She laid a second egg within the next ten days. The 
female incubated the eggs and one hatched around 18 November. The 
second egg failed to hatch. 

No other pair in the other aviaries made any attempt to breed in any 
of these seasons. 

The nestling was brooded continuously by Female B for about two 
weeks after hatching, and during this time she was fed by the male and 
occasionally went and fed and drank by herself. Once the female stopped 
brooding continuously the nestling was fed by both parents in the morning 
and evening. The female continued brooding the nestling at night. 

Towards the end of January 1976 the nestling started moving up 
and down the inside of the spout and spent progressively longer sitting in 
the entrance of the hollow. During this period the parents fed it at the 
entrance of the hollow. 


171 



On the evening of 8 February when the nestling was just over 
eighty days it flew from the hollow. It was found next morning on the 
floor of the aviary with one leg paralysed. The fledgling may have hit 
its head on the aviary side and suffered concussion. 

The fledgling was left on the ground and the parents spent their time 
sitting on the ground near it and continued to feed it on the ground. The 
fledgling remained on the ground until mid-March, during which time, 
its leg became more usable. About mid-March it started flying round the 
aviary and perched on the tree or on the cage floor. It had a lot of 
trouble landing due to its inexperience, but it gradually mastered the art 
of landing gently instead of flying full speed at the perch and crashing 
into it. 

By the end of April it could fly very well and it had completely re¬ 
gained the use of its previously paralysed leg. Although it was feeding 
itself, it still begged continuously from its parents. This is not surprising 
as fledglings in the wild are dependent on their parents for several months 
after leaving the nest hollow. 

During the breeding season the birds were given sunflower seed, 
mature marri (Eucalyptus calophylla) nuts, Banksia grand is fruits and Finns 
pinaster cones. The adults fed the nestling sunflower seed most of the time, 
although they occasionally gave it small amounts of the other foods. 

This is the only published record, of which I am aware, of White¬ 
tailed Black Cockatoos fledging young in captivity. Forshaw (1969) says 
“he understands .... the White-tailed Black Cockatoo has recently been 
bred” but gives no details. Lcndon (1973) on the other hand says he has 
“never heard of a successful breeding”. 

REFERENCES 

FORSHAW, J. M. 1969. Australian Parrots. Lansdowne Press. 

LENDON, A. H. 1973. Neville W. Cayley’s Australian Parrots in field 

and aviary. Angus and Robertson. 


CLADOPHORA, EUTROPHICATION AND THE PEEL INLET 

By B. DELL, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, 
Murdoch University. 

In many rivers and lakes large growths of Cladophora arc associated 
with nutrient-rich waters and can be said to be indicative of eutrophication 
(Pitcairn and Hawkes, 1973). The natural enrichment of a body of water, 
leading to a rise in the level of available nutrients, such as nitrogen and 
phosphorus is known as eutrophication. Man often speeds up this process 
by polluting waters. Enormous accumulations of rotting algae build up in 
certain bays (e.g. Coodanup) of the Peel Inlet. The dominant species is 
commonly called ‘Goat-Weed,’ a species of Cladophora existing as dark 
green balls 1-3 cm in diameter. Associated with these balls, as a bright 
green surface mat, are an intertwined mixture of filamentous species of 
Enteromorpha and Cladophora. These mats are sometimes trapped over 
offshore beds of Ruppia maritima. In a few parts of the estuary large 
patches of Chaetomorpha linum are hazardous to boating. 

Cladophora balls grow and accumulate in large offshore beds in 
water from 1 to 2.5 m deep. In summer, the algae rise from thick bottom 
patches, float near the surface of the water and then fall to the bottom. 
This cyclic pattern is probably caused by evolved gas being trapped 
between the filaments. 

During spring and summer, presumably when Cladophora is actively 
growing, the balls begin to accumulate on the shore of the Peel Inlet due 
to the action of water movement and onshore winds. In this manner, 
extensive accumulations may build up, for example, in the mouth of the 
Murray River and extend a short distance upstream. 

Cross (1974) reports that after the late 1950’s in a period of lower 
than average rainfall, a noticeable change occurred in the Peel Inlet and 


172 


several species of algae, including Cladophora and Enteromorpha became 
established. These algae are reported to break away and form raft-like 
masses which accumulate along the shore of the estuary where they decay, 
releasing hydrogen sulphide and depleting oxygen levels in the water. 
Reports by Rippingale (1974, 1975) to the Metropolitan Water Supply, 
Sewerage and Drainage Board supported the claim made by Cross that 
Cladophora has increased in recent years in response to a hypothetical 
increase in eutrophication resulting from outside enrichment of the 
estuarine waters. 

No comparable information is available on Cladophora elsewhere in 
Australia, though it has been reported as a nuisance in the Swan River 
Estuary (Royce, 1955). The lack of data suggests that Cladophora does 
not form large algal mats in other Australian estuaries. In Eastern Aus¬ 
tralia and New Zealand nuisance weed growth is more commonly due 
to aquatic angiosperms than to algae. Comparisons for Cladophora growth 
in the Peel Inlet must, therefore, be sought in the northern hemisphere. 
There Cladophora has been shown to respond to eutrophication. It is 
capable of rapid colonization of bare surfaces and of extremely rapid 
growth. Many species are favoured by high light intensities, high nutrient 
levels, high pH values, hard and turbulent waters (e.g. Whitton, 1970; 
Pitcairn and Hawkes, 1973). Productivity is governed by a natural annual 
rhythm of the alga interacting with environmental factors. 

It is difficult to evaluate the factors affecting Cladophora in the 
Peel Inlet because there are no data available on a similar species of 
Cladophora in a similar estuary elsewhere. In order to predict control 
measures for Cladophora in the Peel Inlet we need to determine the status 
of the major benthic species. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

I would like to thank Dr E. P. Hodgkin of the Department of 
Conservation and Environment for financial support and Mr. Harold 
Roberts from the Swan River Conservation Board for providing transport 
to and on waters of the Peel Inlet. 

REFERENCES 

CROSS, W. J. 1974. A look at the pollution problems of Peel Inlet. 
A list. Mar. Sci. Bull., 48: 7-8. 

PITCAIRN, C. E. R., and H. A. HAWKES. 1973. The role of phosphorus 
in the growth of Cladophora. Water Res., 7: 159-171. 

RIPPINGALE, R. 1974, 1975. Progress Reports to Metropolitan Water 
Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Board on Peel/Harvey Inlets. Wait- 
Aid Ltd. 

ROYCE, R. D. 1955. Algae of the Swan River. Swan River Reference 
Committee. Report by Subcommittee on Pollution of Swan River. 
Govt. Printer: Perth. 

WHITTON, B. A. 1970. Biology of Cladophora in freshwaters. Water Res., 
4: 457-476. 


FROM FIELD AND STUDY 

Galahs and Little Corellas in the Claremont/Cottesloe Area.—On 
April 21, 1974, in the vicinity of my home at 82 Railway Street, Cottesloe, 
a flock of 12 Galahs (Cacatua roseicapilla) was sighted. At the final 
preparation of this note (April 1976) the birds were still in the area and 
had increased to about 30. 

On April 23, at the Teachers’ Training College, Princess Road, Clare¬ 
mont, a flock of about 100 Corellas was sighted flying over the college 
toward the north. The birds were identified as Little Corellas (Cacatua 
sartguinea). 

—PETER McMILLAN, Claremont Teachers’ College. 


173 


Little Wood Swallow at Ellendale, —Serventy & Whittell (Birds of 
Western Australia, 4th edition, 1967) give the southern limit of the Little 
Wood Swallow (Artamus minor) as the Murchison River gorge and the 
Gnows Nest Range. On June 15, 1974 we observed a party of about eight 
Little Wood Swallows at Ellendale, flying close to the cliffs on the southern 
bank of the Greenough River; this extends the species’ published range by 
about 120 kilometres. However, the ironstone breakaway habitat favoured 
by the species further inland is very much the same as that provided by the 
Ellendale cliffs. About the same number of birds has been seen at Ellendale 
by one of us (L.E.S.) on July 28 and August 18, suggesting that the flock 
is resident rather than vagrant. 

—ERIC H. & LINDSAY E. SEDGWICK, Geraldton. 


Dusky Moorhen at Leonora. — A single Dusky Moorhen, Gallinula 
tenebrosa, was captured in the waiting room of the Leonora railway 
station on April 15, 1975. The bird appeared to be slightly injured, but, 
when released at the edge of Lake Raesidc, moved off smartly. 

There was no doubt of the identification. Field notes show a grey-black 
bird, with white undcrtail coverts, greenish legs, and yellow beak with 
a red frontal shield. 

The bird no doubt reached the Leonora area as a consequence of the 
flooding of the Lake Raeside lake system 6 weeks earlier, when the North¬ 
eastern Goldfields received between 250-400 mm of rain in a few days. 
Lake Raeside received waters from as far west as north of Youanmi and 
reached a width of 3 kilometres south of the town. The flooding of lakes 
throughout a large area of the interior of the state allowed the bird to 
travel over 400 kilometres from its regular haunts. 

—DON REID, Leonora. 


Singing Bushlark in (lie Northeastern Goldfields. —On December 17, 
1974, when 13 kilometres cast of Duketon, in an area of open mulga, 
largely Acacia aneura, I noticed two immature Black-throated Butcher-birds 
plucking a small bird wedged in a branch fork. On investigation, 1 found 
a neatly plucked body of a Singing Bushlark, Mirafra javanica , wedged 
in the fork by the head. The head and neck were still feathered, and the 
tail feathers on the ground were still recognisable. Identification was made 
on the following characteristics: beak, short and somewhat finch-like, 
pinky-brown in colour; tail feathers short in proportion to the body. Pale 
eyebrow in finely ornamented head feathers. 

The presence well south of its regular distribution may probably be 
attributed to the two exceptional seasons the centre and the goldfields 
experienced in 1973 and 1974, which led to a spectacular growth of grasses 
and annuals throughout. It would have been easy under these conditions 
for a species to expand its distribution, even temporarily. 

—DON REID, Leonora 


Red Plumed Pigeon in the Carnarvon Ranges. —An extension in 
recorded range of the Red Plumed Pigeon, Lophophaps ferrupinea, is indi¬ 
cated by my sighting two parties of these birds at Katjcra Spring in the 
Carnarvon Ranges, approximately 3 kilometres cast of Mt. Methwin, on 
May 15, 1975. A party of at least 10 was flushed at the western end of 
the rocky range containing the spring. First knowledge of their presence 
was their ‘explosive’ flight overhead. They rapidly came to ground in 
very broken quartzite country. Later in the afternoon, two birds were 
sighted on the Triod'ui -covered hill pediment north of the spring, apparently 
heading to water. 


174 


In both sightings, it was quite clear that the birds had a brown breast 
and abdomen. 

The area lies about 300 kilometres NE of Meekatharra. The ranges 
are the easternmost large hills of the Proterozoic sequence and occur 
toward the southern boundary of the Nabberu basin. It is probable that 
small populations of this bird occur throughout to the north and west 
wherever the right habitat occurs. 

—DON REID, Leonora. 


Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatills) near Leonora.—A visit to Mal¬ 
colm Dam, 7 miles east of Leonora, on November 3, 1974, led to my re¬ 
cording two Marsh Sandpipers. Two medium-sized waders were noticed on 
the north side of the dam, on a broad, recently emerged flat, in company 
with 10 Banded Plover (Zonifer tricolor). 

The birds were later approached on foot, and observed from 50 up to 20 
metres. The Banded Plovers flew off, leaving the sandpipers by themselves, 
feeding along the water's edge. My field notes are as follows:—2 Sandpipers, 
somewhat smaller than a Banded Plover. Black, long, straight bill, yellowish- 
green legs. Faint speckling on sides of shoulders forming a saddle. Speckled 
wing coverts. Pronounced white eyebrow mark. White forehead. White rump 
and tail while flying. Call a ‘tchew-tchew-tchew’. Time of observation 1630 
WST. Observed through 7 x 50 binoculars. 

The size of the birds, the white rump and tail, leg and bill colour are 
diagnostic of Tringa stagnatilis. Their sighting so far inland is easily ex¬ 
plained by the exceptional winter rains throughout the North-eastern Gold¬ 
fields in 1973 and 1974. The numerous water-filled lakes and claypans 
have formed a favourable habitat for several of the migrating waders. Lack 
of observers rather than lack of birds in this area is no doubt responsible 
for the paucity of previous records. 

—DON REID, Leonora. 


Supplementary Notes on Turtledoves, Streptopelia, in Western Aus¬ 
tralia.—A summary of the results of an inquiry into the introduction and 
spread of the turtledoves in Western Australia appears in the Western 
Australian Naturalist, vol. 6, 1958, pp. 90 and 112, and in vol. 9, 1965, 
p. 153. The following are a few personal observations made during the 
ensuing ten years. Streptopelia senegalensis is now more properly called 
the Laughing Dove, and S . chinensis the Spotted Dove, but to avoid con¬ 
fusion 1 have retained the older vernaculars—Senegal Turtledove and 
Indian Turtledove—to conform with the earlier articles. 

HARVEY: Senegal—This species appears to have increased slightly 
in numbers and is no longer confined to a limited area immediately north 
of the main shopping centre. Up to six birds frequent my garden on the 
southern edge of the town. 

Indian—I first saw this species in Harvey on December 3, 1970. The 
only prior record of which I am aware was in 1956. On November 5, 
1972, a bird appeared at my home and continued to frequent the area 
until mid-August 1973. A bird was recorded in July 1974. 

ROCKINGHAM: Senegal—This species has increased greatly in 
numbers at Point Peron where they nest and roost in, and generally fre¬ 
quent, the thickets of Coast Wattle, Acacia rostellijera. I saw 14 birds 
together, apparently assembling to roost, in April 1966. 

WILLIAMS: Senegal—This species appeared to have a tenuous hold 
in 1955. While passing through the town in May 10, 1974, I saw one dove 
fly to a pine tree by the Albany Highway. 

The following previously unrecorded localities have come to my notice: 

KONDININ: Senegal—One noted on September 6, 1966. 

KULIN: Senegal—One noted on May 28, 1971. 

MEENAR: Senegal—Noted from train on January 28, 1967. 


175 





NAREMBEEN: Senegal—One noted in the town on March 24, 1967. 
I have since found them to be fairly frequent. 

P1NJARRA: Senegal—Two, seen separately, on July 25, 1970. This 
appears to be the first definite record of this species in Pinjarra. 
SERPENTINE: Senegal—One bird noted on February 1, 1966. 

—ERIC H. SEDGWICK, Harvey. 


Movements of the Spotted Pardalote.—The following table summar¬ 
izes all observations which I have made of the occurrence of Spotted Par- 
dalotes, Pardalotus punctatus, at various stations, arranged in order from 
north to south, within their range in south-western Australia. 


LOCATION 

Period of 
Observance. 

(dates inclusive) 

Period of 
Occurence. 

WOOROLOO 

1951-1953 

Mar.-Sept. 

ROCKINGHAM 

1937-1940 

Apr.-Oct. 

WILLIAMS 

1954-1955 

May.-Oct. 

HARVEY (Plain) 

1963-1975 

Apr.-Aug. 

HARVEY (Range ) 

1963-1975 

Mar.-Oct. 

COLLIE 

1956-1961 

Feb.-Nov. 


February and November qualify for inclusion in the Collie “Period of 
Occurrence” on the strength of only one record in each month. 

The pattern revealed is consistent with the statement in Birds of 
Western Australia, by Serventy and Whittcll; “There appears to be an 
annual autumn movement from the south to the Perth district which in 
some years may be quite considerable. The birds appear during May 
and stay to nest in the spring.” 

From points south of Collie I have only incidental records, e.g. from 
Pemberton, Nornalup, Yallingup and the Stirling Ranges. Significantly, 
some of these are summer records. 

All the foregoing points to a movement from the south during the 
cooler, wetter months and a return movement in spring, some birds 
remaining in the south throughout the year. 

However, much of the above is an over simplification. The movement 
in any one area is not predictable. On Harvey townsite, for example, no 
Spotted Pardalotes were recorded in either 1970 or in 1974. In 1971 they 
were recoided in May only and in 1972 in May and June only. Birds of 
Western Australia indicates that the number of individuals appearing may 
vary considerably from year to year. 

I suspect, too, that habitat, or associated food supply, available in an 
area may influence the occurrence of Spotted Pardalotes. In the Rock¬ 
ingham district they seemed to favour the Tuart, Eucalyptus gompho- 
cephala and about Collie, the Flooded Gum, E. rudis, along the water¬ 
courses. The Bullich, E. megacarpus, may be favoured in the Darling Range 
and the Spotted Pardalote appears to be an integral part of the Karri, 
E. diversicolor, association. All these factors tend to obscure the underlying 
pattern of movement. 

The foregoing observations and deductions are placed on record in 
the hope that other observers will be encouraged to fill in the gaps in 
the outline presented. 

—ERIC H. SEDGWICK, Harvey. 


176 
























THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN 

NATURALIST 


Vol. 13 


June 30, 1977 


No. 8 


EJAH BREAKAWAYS, MILEURA, CUE, AS AN ABORIGINAL HOME 

By S. J. J. F. DAVIES, T. A. KNIGHT, G. H. PFITZNER 
and C. P. S. de REBEIRA, CSIRO Division of Wildlife Research, 
Helena Valley, W.A. 

INTRODUCTION 

Davies (1961) described a number of Aboriginal sites in the Murchison 
District of Western Australia, one of which was the Gnumartna Rock Hole 
(Lat. 26°22’S; Long. 117 0 18'E). This site is a gully running into the Ejah 
Breakaways, a rocky outcrop at the headwaters of one of the tributaries 
of the Pindebarn Creek, which itself drains into the Murchison River. 
During the past sixteen years we have spent many weeks at the CSIRO 
Division of Wildlife Research Field Station on these breakaways, and have 
learnt to come to terms with the environment there under different seasonal 
conditions. In the course of these years we have been impressed to find 
that almost everything that we do, every track we take, every lookout 
we use, everywhere we recognise as a shelter, has evidence of prior use 
by Aboriginal people. It is perhaps not surprising that this is so for we 
are conspecific with the Aborigines and the behaviour of animal species 
contains many species specific elements and patterns. By living under field 
conditions we are forcing ourselves to meet the same problems of comfort 
and concealment, movement and location as did the Aboriginal people 
before the advent of European man. The environment seems to have 
changed little, and the fact that we have often come to the same solutions 
to problems as previous inhabitants of the area might have been expected. 
However the realization of this common experience has prompted us to 
speculate on the use Aborigines made of the Ejah Breakaways. This paper 
is, then, an analogue synthesis of Ejah as a habitat for men, an account 
of the best solutions we have found to the problems the environment 
poses. As such it can prove no theories. It records facts, correlations and 
experiences, and may perhaps be useful if it stimulates predictions that 
themselves lead to the discovery of new facts in the form of sites that can 
be excavated and analysed. 

There is little contemporary record of the use made by Aboriginal 
people of Ejah. It is clear that it was used by people of the Wadjari tribe 
and that Gnumartna Rock Hole and its carvings were of some sacred or 
ceremonial significance. The name, Ejah, is an expression of surprise as 
‘oh’ or ‘ah* arc in English. We have met no living people who witnessed 
Aboriginal occupation of Ejah. Figure 1 is a sketch map of the breakaways 
and Plate 1 shows portion of the southern face. 

Excavations reported in this paper were made prior to December 
1972. Subsequently the Western Australian Aboriginal Heritage Commis¬ 
sion has issued a permit for the continuance of such exploratory archaeolo¬ 
gical work on Mileura and we arc grateful to Mr. B. Wright of the 
Western Australian Museum for his advice and help in this regard. Dr. 
W. Bray of the Institute of Archaeology, London, kindly advised us on 
radio-carbon dating methods. 


177 




LEGEND 


E 



178 


Figure 1.—A map of the Ejah 
Breakaways, Mileura, Cue, W.A., 
showing sites mentioned in the text. 







RESULTS 


1. CSIRO Camp, Ejaii (Figure 1, 1) 

The camp is located on the southern edge of a sloping granite out¬ 
crop, not far from the breakaway scarp known as Houndie’s Leap, after 
a spaniel that followed a fleeing rabbit over the drop. Ejah had some 
obvious advantages for a base camp. It was centrally placed in the study 
area, Mileura Pastoral Lease, roughly defined by the watershed of the 
Pindebarn Creek. Ejah lies midway between the north and south ends 
of the lease, but is close to the western boundary. A main road close to 
Ejah makes access to the eastern side easy. This road runs eastward straight 
to the shearing shed and homestead in the middle of the lease, where it 
meets good roads running to all parts of the station, but the site was still 
far enough away from the homestead (15 km) to ensure that the surround¬ 
ing countryside received minimal disturbance during stock management 
practices. The outlook was attractive and a good stand of tall Acacia 
adsurgens trees provided shade. The sloping granite north of the site not 
only sheltered it from the direction of prevailing storm winds and rain (the 
north-east in both summer and winter) but was a natural water catchment 
on which pools formed after rain. The surrounding breakaways provided 
numerous lookouts from which emus could be watched on the plains below. 
Because of its elevated position, the site was easy to locate during excur¬ 
sions on foot or vehicle into the surrounding countryside. Subsequently it 
was discovered that the site had two other advantages over a site by the 
main creek, which would have been a more conventional choice. First 
the blood-sucking Diptera were fewer there than in the creek, an important 
factor in an area where arthropod-borne virus diseases have been seen to 



Plate 1.—The Houndie's Leap rock shelter from the south. The rock 
shelter is partly exposed on the right of the plate, and continues behind 
the boulder in the centre of the plate. To the left the roof of the shelter 
dips sharply, and the shelter is effectively unusable by man. 


179 


decimate the avifauna and where cyclones could conceivably bring down 
from the north not only viruses lethal to birds but ones lethal to man 
as well. Secondly the ^temperature relations of the area mean that the 
highlands such as Ejah are cooler in summer and warmer in winter than 
the main creek beds (Davies, 1973). 

2. Houndic’S Leap rock shelter (Figure 1, 2) 

The site is a typical breakaway rock shelter (Plate 1), about 3 metres 
deep, 7 metres long and 2 metres high. The rock floor is covered with 
approximately 30 cm of soil and debris and is now used as a shelter by 
Euros (Macropus robust us), Goats (Capra hircus) and many nesting and 
roosting birds. The entrance faces south and is about 10 metres above 
the level of the plain below. It gives almost exactly the same attractive 
prospect and degree of shelter from prevailing weather as does the CSIRO 
campsite, yet we were unaware of this rock shelter when we chose our own 
campsite. '1 he rear walls of the shelter were decorated with a few disinte¬ 
grating hand stencils in red ochre in 1961, but these have now disappeared. 
Excavation through the soil and debris on the floor has revealed three 
levels of hearths. Charcoal from the lowest of these, at the level of the 
rock floor, has been estimated as dating from 660 A.D. ± 100 years by 
the C 14 method (RL 513). This result has some interesting implications, 



^50cm 


Plate 2.—A section through the floor of the Houndie’s Leap rock shelter, 
showing the three hearth layers. 


180 







but in mentioning them it is as well to recognize that the dating method 
merely fixes the time at which the carbon was incorporated into the wood 
that made the charcoal, ft tells us nothing of the time the tree stood, 
alive or dead, before it was used as fuel for an Aboriginal fire. Nonetheless 
it seems reasonable to suggest that the site has been used for over 1,000 
years, and that the landscape, in particular the breakaway edge, has 
changed little in that time. Immediately above this lowest hearth layer is 
a layer of granite detritus, 3 cm deep, and then another hearth layer. 
Above this second layer is a layer of large rocks, 5-10 cm in diameter, 
which have obviously fallen from the roof of the shelter as part of a 
considerable rock fall. The layer is about 12 cm deep and above it lies 
another hearth layer. A layer of dusty soil of variable width separates the 
upper hearth layer from the disturbed recent detritus layer. Plate 2 illus¬ 
trates a section through the cave floor exposed by the excavations. There 
seems to be little doubt that the Aborigines used this as a dwelling and the 
abundance of worked pebbles on the plain below the shelter is evidence in 
support of this view. 

3. Houiidie's Leap Gnamma Hole 

There is a bowl-shaped depression in a superficial granite slab about 
1 km east of the Houndie’s Leap shelter. It holds water after rain and 
could have served as a well. The diameter of the surface hole is 20 cm, 
the chamber was 125 cm deep and opened out to a maximum width of 230 
cm. Excavation of the detritus in the hole did not reveal any artifacts, but 
the rock around the hole was worn in the position where one would kneel 
to take water from the hole. It is the nearest significant rock hole to the 
cave shelter and lies on a path route from it around the breakaway to 
Gnumartna. 



Plate 3.—Stone arrangements on the north-western side of Ejah Break¬ 
aways. Notice that the arrangement correlates visually with the three 
hills in the middle distance. 


181 


4. Covered well (Figure 1, 4) 

About a kilometre further round the edge of the breakaway there 
is a rock hole in a large granite slope which is covered by three slab stones 
that were still in place when the site was found in 1975. The well holds 
water for most of the year and the cavity is 50 cm in diameter x 120 cm 
deep. This well is off the direct path from Houndie’s Leap Cave to 
Gnumartna. 

5. Stone arrangements (Figure 1, 4a) 

Near the covered well there are three piles of stones; no natural pro¬ 
cess could be conceived that would have produced such an arrangement, 
but there arc no associated worked artifacts. They are illustrated in Plate 
3, which shows that, from a particular position they line up perfectly with 
three rises in the middle distance. If we wish to describe aspects of the 
countryside we draw a mud map. These rock piles are more permanent 
than a mud map. but could have served the Aborigines as a permanent 
visual aid for describing features of the countryside from this point. 
Davies (1961) has mentioned incised ‘maps' near Gnumartna Rock Hole that 
were said to have served this purpose. 

6. Gnumartna Rock Hole (Figure 1, 6) 

No new information has been obtained from this site which is describ¬ 
ed by Davies (1961). It is, however, weathering badly in places and many 
of the stencilled hands that were visible in 1959 arc no longer clear. A 
detailed series of photographs of the decoration of the site as it was in 
1960 have been deposited in the Western Australian Museum* 

7. The path 

The path around the edge of the breakaways goes directly from the 
Houndie’s Leap rock shelter to Gnumartna rock hole along a course that 
we have found is the best compromise between ease and directness. It is 
used by many animals as well as ourselves, especially Euros, Goats, Sheep 
(Ovis aries) and Rabbits (Oryctolagus cimiculus). It crosses a dyke of a 
chert-like material (5 in Figure 1), chipped pieces of which are frequently 
found around the breakaway, and which seems to be the most suitable 
local stone for the preparation of stone tools. 

8. The north-west rock shelter (Figure 1, 8) 

This cave is more than 20 m deep, and unlike the Houndic’s Leap 
shelter is concealed behind a thin granite screen, although it is also formed 
by erosion under a laterite cap. It has not been extensively explored, but 
seems likely to have been a shelter, or perhaps a watch-tower, for it 
overlooks an important water hole. There are traces of soot on the roof. 

9. The north-west water hole (Figure 1, 9) 

This pool is in a deep granite depression in a creek bed, and although 
no careful records have been kept of its permanence it has many tracks 
converging onto it and appears to be at least as important to the animals 
of the area as Gnumartna. At both water holes the scrapes made by 
kangaroos seeking water provide drinking points for other animals and 
birds when the surface water has evaporated. It is almost certain to have 
been used by Aboriginal man as well, and when full is about 50 cm deep. 
Between it and the north-west rock shelter there is a pattern of stones 
laid out adjacent to the pile of granite boulders closest to the shelter (8a 
on Figure 1). 

10. Extra-limital sites 

(a) Milly factory 

This is a stone working site on a diorite dyke cutting across Milly 
breakaways 18 km south of Ejah and readily visible from it. Milly break¬ 
aways form the south side of the valley of which the Ejah breakaways 


182 


are the north. The diorite dyke is exposed for about 1 km and appears to be 
about 1 m wide, although its width varies and the broken, superficial 
rock is scattered over a greater width than a metre. Throughout its length 
worked cores can be found, as well as discarded and possibly imperfect 
stone tools. 

(b) Cattle camp pool 

The remains of the shelters of an old mustering camp lie beside a pool 
in a creek 6 km S.E. of Houndie’s Leap shelter. Although this camp was 
undoubtedly used by European man the stream bed and bank contain 
numerous worked rocks and suggest that the Aborigines used the site long 
before European man reached the area. Possibly, as stockmen in his employ, 
they sited their muster camp on a traditional site. The pool holds water 
for several weeks after the winter rains and makes the site an attractive 
location at that time of year. No excavations have yet been carried out 
at this site. 

(c) Yarramecdic Gallery 

This site is described by Davies (1961) and lies 20 km north of Ejah. 
The Yarramecdie Range is a striking backdrop to the view north from 
Ejah and intrudes onto the horizon in most outlooks from the north 
side of the breakaways. The large and permanent Poonthoon Pool lies 
to the south of the range, east of the gallery, and must have been the 
summer refuge after the rock holes of the hills had dried out. Poonthoon 
provides a backstop to life at Ejah, where the rock holes cannot be relied 
upon to last through long dry periods. 

DISCUSSION 

Detailed examination of the Ejah breakaways show that they provide 
sufficient water and shelter to support human life for most of the year, 
and that they are conveniently placed within walking distance of other sites 
apparently important to Aborigines. There are Euros around the break¬ 
aways which could provide food, and no doubt much other food was 
available for people with traditional knowledge. The extensive carvings 
and paintings of Gnu mart na confirm that it was much used by the Wadjari 
tribe and our experience suggests that it could have been a permanent 
base for the surrounding countryside from which its inhabitants need 
only have retreated in very long dry spells. 

REFERENCES 

DAVIES, S. J. J. F. 1961. Some Aboriginal sites in the Murchison District 
of Western Australia. W.A. Naturalist, 8: 1-5. 

DAVIES, S. J. J. F. 1973. Environmental variables and the biology of 
native Australian animals in the mulga lands. Tropical Grasslands, 
7: 127-134. 


THE WANDERER BUTTERFLY AT BUNBURY AND OTHER PARTS 
OF THE SOUTH-WEST, AND A NEW FOOD PLANT 

By L. E. KOCH, Western Australian Museum, B. DELL, Murdoch 
University, and G. J. KEIGHERY, Kings Park Board. 

Populations of the Wanderer butterfly (Danaus plexippus) were dis¬ 
covered near Perth in the late sixties (Koch, 1971, \913a and 1973ft; Dell, 
1974). In recent years, the Wanderer has also become abundant in the 
lower South-West, particularly the Bunbury area, where its breeding places 
have been found. 

Since January 1976, the Wanderer has appeared more abundantly 
than in previous years around Perth; there have been numerous sightings 


183 


at Glen Forrest, Helena Valley, Bayswater, Tuart Hill, Nedlands, Karrakatta 
and Fremantle. 

Many persons in the South-West, especially Mrs. S. Mifflin and other 
members of the Leschcnault Naturalists’ Society, have reported Wanderers 
around Bunbury between January I and March 28, 1976. Of the more 
than 200 Wanderers sighted, 82 were along the Collie River at Roelands 
70 at Bunbury and 27 at Donnybrook. The butterflies were most abundant 
throughout March 1976, especially at the following localities (listed from 
north to south): Harvey, Binningup, Beela, Brunswick Junction, Roelands. 
Bunbury, Waterloo, Boyanup, Argylc, Capel, Donnybrook, Wyadup (near 
Yallingup) and Grace Town (on Cowaramup Bay). 

The butterflies have been recorded even further to the South-West, 
viz, at Augusta in January 1968 (Koch, 1971) where they were seen 
again in mid-June 1976. 

Wanderer butterflies are attracted to a variety of flowers, including 
those of Lantana, Ageratum, Zinnia, Abelia, Buddleia, Dahlia, Poinsettia, 
Eriobotrya and Abutilon. 

The W.A. Herbarium has the following records of milkweed plants 
the food of the caterpillar: 

Asclepias cnrassavica —Carnarvon, Geraldton, Trayning, Fremantle, 
Mundijong. 

Asclepias fruticosa —Kings Park, Armadale, Jarrahdale, Dwellingup, 

7 mi. W of Busselton. 

However, milkweed must have a much wider distribution than these 
data indicate, for, in April 1976, caterpillars of the Wanderer were reported 
from Augusta, Narrogin and Pingclly. Furthermore, during the course of 
the present increase of the Wanderer around Bunbury, the butterflies were 
found to be numerous at the following localities in which milkweed was 
growing: Harvey (Harvey river and roadsides), Roelands (along the Collie 
River), Bunbury (various gardens), Dardanup to Wellington Mill (in the 
upper reaches of the Ferguson River), and Joshua Brook (3 mi. E of 
Boyanup). 

Some residents believe that the Wanderer has been present in Bunbury 
for at least 10 years. All stages of the Wanderer (and also the Lesser Wan¬ 
derer) were associated with A. fruticosa growing along the railway line 
at Blair Street, Bunbury, e.g. on 18/5/1974, 21/7/1974, 10/6/1975, 
1/8/1976. A . fruticosa was the food plant of large numbers of Wanderer 
caterpillars at the Collie River in April 1975. 

In Kings Park, caterpillars of both the Wanderer and the Lesser 
Wanderer have been observed feeding on Staphelia variegata and S. gran di¬ 
flora in the Botanic Gardens. Indubitably, the butterflies must recognise 
Staphelia species as food plants of the caterpillars, which thrive on these 
plants and at times are regarded as pests by gardeners. Previously species 
of Calotropis and Asclepias were the only recorded food plants of the 
Wanderer in Western Australia. Detailed information on these and other 
food plants elsewhere in Australia is given by Smithers (1973). The present 
record is the first of Staphelia as a food plant of the Wanderer in Australia. 

REFERENCES 

DELL, B. 1974. Observations on the Wanderer Butterfly in Western 

Australia. West. Aust. Nat., 12: 172-178. 

KOCH, L. E. 1971. The Wanderer Butterfly in Western Australia. West. 

Aust. Nat., 12: 25-27. 

KOCH, L. E. 1973a. Wanderer Butterfly sightings in Western Australia 

(September 1971 to May 1972). West. Aust. Nat., 12: 115. 

KOCH, L. E. 1973/j. The Wanderer Butterfly at Kelmscott, W.A. West. 

Aust. Nat., 12: 165. 

SMITHERS, C. N. 1973. The Food Plants of Danaus plexippus (L.) (Lep., 

Nymphalidae) in Australia. Ent. Mon. Mag., 109: 54-56. 


184 


STATUS OF THE PURPLE-CROWNED WREN (MALURUS CORON- 
ATUS) AND BUFF-SIDED ROBIN (POECILODRYAS SUPERCILIOSA) 
IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA 

By L. A. SMITH and R. E. JOHNSTONE, 

Western Australian Museum, Perth 

SUMMARY: 

A review of the records of the Purple-crowned Wren (Malurus coronatus) and Buff-sided 
Robin (Poecilodryas supeiciliosa) in the Kimberleys of Western Australia is presented 
chronologically to show that the numbers of those once common species have been 

drastically reduced. 

INTRODUCTION 

In Western Australia the Purple-crowned Wren and Buff-sided Robin 
are found in the Kimberleys. They inhabit thick vegetation at the margins 
of watercourses, the Purple-crowned Wren preferring pandanus, rushes and 
“bamboo” (cancgrass) thickets at the water's edge, and the Buff-sided Robin 
the taller, lush thickets. Both species were once common in the Ord and 
Fitzroy River drainages. 

The fifth Harold Hall Expedition of 1968 began a period of intense 
ornithological activity in the Kimberleys. Since 1971, staff of the Verte¬ 
brate Department of the Western Australian Museum, independently, or in 
association with other institutions (such as the Western Australian Depart¬ 
ment of Fisheries and Wildlife) have spent many months in all parts of 
the Kimberleys. These efforts have been augmented by the contract work 
of W. H. Butler for the Western Australian Museum and the American 
Museum of Natural History. Greater mobility has allowed us to visit 
areas previously inaccessible. Thus the total time collecting and observing 
in the Kimberleys in the last 7 years probably outweighs the efforts of the 
previous 90-odd years. Despite the greatly increased effort since 1968, 
the Purple-crowned Wren has only been recorded at five localities, and 
the Buff-sided Robin at seven localities. 

The ranid decline in numbers and area of distribution of these two 
species is best shown by examining the relevant parts of observers’ notes 
in chronological order. 

PURPLE-CROWNED WREN 

T. H. Bowyer-Bower (1886, Ms). Aug. 26 - Sept. 27, on lower Fitzroy 
[13 km S of YeedaJ, 23 specimens collected “as they pass along the 
rushes near the water’s edge (far from which I have not observed them) 

. . . their numbers being from 5-7 ., . long rushes or bamboo up the 
stems of which they climb with ease . . .). (Observed in some bushes about 
to 200 yards from the riverside; this is the furthest I have seen them away 
from the banks; they arc very wren like.”) Oct. 17-29, Fitzroy River 
between Mount Anderson and Liveringa, 7 specimens collected. Nov. 8. 
lagoon near Mount Anderson, 2 specimens collected, 

F. M. House (1902), “On the Pentecost River . . . great numbers of 
Malurus coronatus [May 1901]. After leaving this river [and travelling 
west] 1 did not see the bird again until we were traversing the Drysdale 
River . . . but not in such numbers.” 

R. Hall (1902), records 3 specimens collected Aug. 22, 1900 in J. P. 
Rogers’ collection from the Fitzroy (between Derby and Brooking Cross¬ 
ing). Rogers: “I showed these skins to a black boy who resides up the 
river. He says they are always found in the billabongs high up the Mar¬ 
garet River . . .” 

J. F. Kilgour (1904). Ord River Station, autumn 1904, “almost wherever 
there is water.” 

J. P. Rogers (1908). “I found the Purple-crowned Wren . . . very 
numerous on the small rivers between Turkey Creek Telegraph Station 
and Wyndham. This is a rare bird on the Fitzroy.” 


185 


F. L. Whitlock (1925), on the Fitzroy, June 1924 -April 1925. “Local 
in the extreme. Only seen near the [Fitzroy] crossing and some 8 miles 
further down the river near Gogo Station. Favours Pandanus aquatic us. 
The greatest numbers I saw in one morning’s walk was 4 parties of 3 or 
4 birds. They were very difficult to find ...” 

D. L. Serventy (1958, Ms). Oct. 4, Geikie Gorge, “1. C. Carnaby 
shot a $ in dense vegetation on the left bank . . . Oct. 5, A. J. Marshall: 
$ in Triodia ...” 

H. R. Officer (1964). “On neither the 1959 nor 1962 visits were 
any seen or heard along the Fitzroy or Ord Rivers, or any of the creeks 
feeding them, although Pandanus is plentiful.” 

J. Wheeler (1965). “Considerable areas along the Ord and Fitzroy 
were searched [in 1963] for M. coronatus, without success.” 

J. Dell (1971, Ms). 3- 10 Oct., “$ in melaleuca along the Ord.” 

W. H. Butler (1971, Ms). 8 specimens collected at 16° 33’S, 128° 39’E; 
total of 3 on Oct. 4 and 5 and 5 on Oct. 25. 

Mrs. H. B. Gill ( pers . comm, to Dr. G. M. Storr, 1973). Drysdale 
Crossing (15° 41’S, 126° 25’E) “4 pairs in half mile of river ...” 

C. J. O. Harrison (1974), records 2 specimens collected on July 2, 
1968 in pandanus along Manning Creek at Joint Hill (16° 27’S, 125° 56’E). 

L. A. Smith and R. E. Johnstone (1975, Ms). 3 collected at Meelarrie 
Creek, a tributary of the Drysdale River. “2 parties seen, one of 7 and 
one of 4.” 

Judging by the number of specimens collected by Bowyer-Bower and 
also by the black boy’s comment to Rogers the species was once common 
on the Fitzroy. However, as early as 1908 Rogers called it “a rare species 
on the Fitzroy”. Shilling (1948), who spent about a year at Liveringa did 
not record the species, while Officer (in 1959 and 1962) and Wheeler (in 
1963), despite deliberate attempts to find it, failed to do so. Thus since 
1925 when Whitlock stated they were “very difficult to find” it has only 
been seen in 2 localities on the Fitzroy. 

According to the notes made by House, Kilgour and Rogers, the 
wren was once common on the Pentecost River and in the Ord drainage. 
Since 1907 it has been found in two localities on the Ord River but these 
have subsequently been drowned by Lake Argyle. It has not been recorded 
from the Pentecost since 1902. 

House’s comment as he crossed the Drysdale is the only early record 
for the Drysdale River drainage. That Hill failed to record it during his 
10 month stay at Napier Broome Bay suggests that it may have only been 
present in the more arid upper Drysdale drainage. 

Thus the range of the Purple-crowned Wren which once included 
the Fitzroy, Ord and at least part of the Drysdale drainage has now been 
reduced to three isolated populations: at Manning Creek and Geikie Gorge 
in the Fitzroy drainage, and Meelarrie Creek in the Drysdale drainage. 
As the latter is only 4 kilometres from Mrs. H. B. Gill’s record of the 
species, we treat the two localities as one. 

BUFF-SIDED ROBIN 

T. H. Bowyer-Bower (1886, Ms). Aug. 27 - Sept. 17, on lower Fitzroy 
[13 km S of Yccda], 6 specimens collected. Oct. 28, Fitzroy River between 
Mount Anderson and Liveringa, 3 specimens collected. 

A. J. North (1898), on G. A. Keartland’s collection (Calvert Expedition, 
1896-97). I adult <3 near junction of Fitzroy and Margaret Rivers. 
Keartland: . . only seen in the dense [freshwater] mangrove scrub on 

the margins of the Fitzroy . . .” 

R. Hall (1902), records 4 specimens in J. P. Rogers’ collection from 
the Fitzroy (between Derby and Brooking Crossing). 


186 


J. F. Kilgour (1904), Ord River Station, autumn 1904, “common on 
river banks.” 

G. M. Mathews (1909), records 7 males and 5 females in J. P. Rogers’ 
collection from Wyndham (Parry Creek). “Common. Always frequents 
patches of scrub near water.” 

G. F. Hill (1911), Aug. 1909 -July 1910. “Uncommon. Seen only in 
moist and densely timbered country near Napier Broome Bay and Drysdale 
River.” 

F. L. Whitlock (1925). On the Fitzroy, June 1924-April 1925, mainly 
near the [Fitzroy] crossing “ ... of the river forests to which it was 
exclusively confined.” 

P. Slater (1959), Kimberley Research Station (lvanhoe). Classified as 
a “winter breeder.” 

I. C. Carnaby (pers. comm, to Dr. G. M. Storr). “Fitzroy Crossing 
Feb. 28, 1959, nest under construction . . . Fitzroy River [Noonkenbah], 
June 10, 1959, nested ...” 

Carnaby also records five nests within 3 km of each other 48 km cast 
of Wyndham (two on Jan. 3, 1965 and three in December 1965: one on 
Dec. 19, one on Dec. 26, and another on Dec. 27). 

J. A. Smith ( pers . comm, to Dr. G. M. Storr). “2 at Mitchell River 
Falls [14° 5()’S, 125° 42’E], Nov. 22, 1970. Pair in patch of rainforest by 
Mitchell River [14° 50’S, 125° 42’E], Nov. 14, 1971. Building a nest on 
Nov. 21, 1971.” 

L. A. Smith and R. E. Johnstone (1973, Ms). 2 specimens collected 
from patch of rainforest at edge of Camp Creek, Mitchell Plateau (14° 
52'S, 125° 50’E). 

I. C. J. Galbraith (1974), records one specimen collected at Geikie 
Gorge on June 5, 1968. 

G. M. Storr, R. E. Johnstone, J. Dell and L. A. Smith (1975). “Scarce 
along watercourses in Prince Regent River Reserve.” 

L. A. Smith and R. E. Johnstone (1975, Ms). “2 + 1 downstream 
from camp [on lower Drysdale in 14° 13’S, 126° 55’E], one collected. Thick 
riverside vegetation.” 

R. E. Johnstone, J. Dell, L. A. Smith and P. J. Fuller (1976). 2 col¬ 
lected Aug. 21, 1975. “At least 4 birds lived in the thicket of Xanthostemon 
and Alphitonia at the head of Fern Gully [14° 39’S, 126° 56’E].” 

The Western Australian Museum has two specimens from the Ord 
River, collected July 1945 and two specimens from Kalumburu collected 
July I960. 

The above extracts indicate that the Buff-sided Robin was once common 
in the Fitzroy and Ord River drainages. Since 1925, however, there have 
only been three records from the Fitzroy drainage (Noonkenbah, Fitzroy 
Crossing and Geikie Gorge), and three from the Ord River drainage 
(lvanhoe, 48 km east of Wyndham and Ord River). 

Field work in the last 3 years has shown that it has a fragmented 
distribution in the subhumid north-west part of the Kimberleys (Mitchell 
Plateau, Mitchell River, two localities on the lower Drysdale and two 
in the Prince Regent River Reserve). 

So, although the species has a wide distribution in the Kimberleys, 
the total number of individuals is small, there only being very few, small, 
scattered populations. 


DISCUSSION 

Of the two species, the numbers of the Purple-crowned Wren have 
been most affected. There are probably two main reasons for this. Firstly, 
the relatively low vegetation, such as pandanus and canegrass that the 
Purple-crowned Wren prefers, would be much more susceptible to damage 


187 


by grazing cattle than would the taller, sturdier trees and shrubs preferred 
by the Buff-sided Robin. Secondly, the original distribution of the Purple- 
crowned Wren was probably confined to the more arid areas of the Kim- 
berleys: the Fitzroy, Ord and parts of the Drysdale River drainages, the 
very areas that have been subject to greatest alteration by the pastoral 
industry. 

On the other hand, the Buff-sided Robin, as well as occurring in 
the Fitzroy, Ord and Drysdale River drainages, has been found in the 
wetter north-west Kimberley, areas where its habitat has suffered far less 
interference. 

We consider the numbers of these two species to be so few, and 
their habitat so prone to alteration, that they warrant consideration as 
rare and endangered species. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

We are grateful to Dr. G. M. Storr, Curator of Vertebrates, Western 
Australian Museum, for his criticism of the manuscript and for allowing 
us to use data given to him by Mrs. H. B. Gill, J. A. Smith and the late 
I. C. Carnaby. We also thank Dr. D. L. Serventy, J. Dell and W. H. Butler 
for allowing us to quote their unpublished records. The extracts from T. 
H. Bowyer-Bowcr’s diary were taken from a copy of the original made 
by the British Museum (Natural History) for the Western Australian 
Museum. 


REFERENCES 

BOWYER-BOWER, T. H. 1886. Unpublished diary. (Original in British 
Museum (Natural History).) 

GALBRAITH, I. C. J. 1974. in Birds of the Ilarold Hall Expeditions 
1962-J970, p. 226. British Museum (Natural History). 

HALL, R. 1902. Notes on a collection of bird skins from the Fitzroy 
River, North-Western Australia. Emit, 1: 87-112. 

HARRISON, C. J. O. 1974. in Birds of the Harold Hall Expeditions 1962- 
1970 p. 210. British Museum (Natural History). 

HILL, G. F. 1911. Field notes on the birds of the Kimberley, North West 
Australia. Emu, 10: 258-290. 

HOUSE, F. M. 1902. Appendix C in F. S. Brockman’s Report on explora¬ 
tion of North-West Kimberley, 1901, Western Australian Parliamentary 
Papers. No. 2. 

JOHNSTONE, R. E., J. DELL, L. A. SMITH and P. J. FULLER. 1976. 
Birds of the Drysdale River National Park, North Kimberley, Western 
Australia. (In press.) 

K1LGOUR, J. F. 1904. A trip to the Ord River (N.-W.A.). Emu, 4: 37-43. 

MATHEWS, G. M. 1909. On the birds of North-West Australia. Emu, 
9: 1-16. 

NORTH, A. J. 1898. List of the birds collected by the Calvert Exploring 
Expedition in Western Australia. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Aust., 22: 125-192. 

OFFICER, H. R. 1964. Adaptability of Purple-crowned Wren to loss of 
habitat. Emu, 63: 340-341. 

ROGERS, J. P. 1908. A rare Malurus . Emu, 7: 155. 

SHILLING, D. 1948. The birds of Upper Liveringa Station, Emu, 48: 64-72. 

SLATER, P. 1959. Breeding periods of birds in the Kimberley Division, 
Western Australia. W. Aust. Nat., 7: 35-41. 

STORR, G. M., R. E. JOHNSTONE, J. DELL and L. A. SMITH. Birds 
of the Prince Regent River Reserve, north-west Kimberley, Western 
Australia. Bull. Wildl. Res. West. Aust.. 3: 75-88. 

WHEELER, J. 1965. Purple-crowned Wren: habitat and call note. Emu, 
64: 219. 

WHITLOCK, F. L. 1925. Ten months on the Fitzroy River, North-Western 
Australia. Emu, 25: 69-89. 


188 


BIRDS OF BEDOUT ISLAND—A VISIT IN MAY 1972 

By T. E. BUSH and G. A. LODGE 


INTRODUCTION 

Bedout Island (19° 35’ 28” S., 119° 5’ 46” E.) is a Class C reserve 
22 nautical miles north of Larrey Point, the nearest part of the Australian 
mainland, but 55 nautical miles NNE of Port Hedland via the navigation 
channels. It is of interest to naturalists as it is the most southerly recorded 
breeding station in Western Australia of the Lesser Frigate-bird and of the 
Brown and Masked Gannets. However because of the difficulty of access 
ornithologists have rarely visited it. 

The first ornithological survey of the island was made by J. T. Tunncy 
(1902, p. 73) who collected there in May 1901 for the W.A. Museum. In 
1944 the island was surveyed from the air by Stanley Fowler during an 
aerial reconnaisance for the CSIRO. In October 1949 Dr. D. L. Scrvcnty 
spent a few hours on the island whilst a member of a fisheries party 
aboard the F.R.V. Warreen ♦ In his report (Serventy, 1952, pp. 48-50) he 
reviewed all the previous records. 

The Lands and Surveys Department granted a lease of the island to 
Bernard Bardwell, Marie Fanny Harper and John David Dunn from 
January 1, 1928 to December 31, 1937, for the purpose of excavating 
guano. This was cancelled in 1930, prior to expiration, on a report from 
the Pearling Inspector at Broome, Mr. A. O. Ferguson, who stated that 
no guano had come through the port. 

On May 14-15, 1972 we accompanied a fishing party from Port 
Hedland and spent a night and a total of 15 daylight hours on the island. 
Landing was made in a small dinghy, leaving the larger vessel anchored 
beyond the reef. 

Bedout Island is a low-lying, undulating sand cay with an area of 45 
acres at high tide and about 75 acres at low tide, surrounded by a white 
sandy beach varying from 20 to 75 metres in width. The large expanse 
of reef exposed at low tide is studded with pools in which marine life 
abounds. The rock stacks which protrude above the general level of the 
reef are covered with oysters. The island itself, apart from the two bare areas 
where heavy guano accumulation prevents plant growth, is covered with 
clumps of Spinifex longifolins. An automatic navigation beacon stands 
on the highest point of the island. 

NOTES ON BIRDS OBSERVED 

Brown Gannel, Sit la leucogaster. This species was the commonest bird 
on the island, occupying almost the whole of it for nesting and we estimated 
there were about 5,000 breeding pairs. Nests were on the beach, with 
concentrations where the beach was widest, as well as amongst the Spinifex 
clumps. Breeding was protracted in the extreme. There were young at all 
stages, while other pairs were brooding eggs or constructing nests. Nests 
among Spinifex clumps, where material was readily available, were gen¬ 
erally more substantial than those on the beaches. Here some eggs had 
been laid in a mere scrape in the sand. Two eggs were the normal clutch, 
with onlv one 3-egg clutch being observed. All nests inspected where the 
eggs had hatched contained only one chick. Brooding birds were very 
confiding, allowing easy photography. A few thousand birds were resting 
on the beaches. These included manv immatures. A sample of 10 eggs 
averaged 61 x 40 mm, varying from 56-66 x 36-43 mm. 

Masked Gannct, Sula dactylatra. This species was nowhere near as 
plentiful as the preceding and we estimated the breeding population as 
about 400 pairs. Apart from an isolated pair breeding took place among 
the Brown Gannets in the two bare areas and the maior beach concen¬ 
trations. Breeding was protracted as with the Brown Gannet. The nests 
were generally not as substantial and were quite often only a scrape in 


189 


the guano crust. The clutch was of two eggs. A sample of 10 eggs averaged 
62 x 44 mm, varying from 55-68 x 40-45 mm. 

Lesser Frigate-bird, Fregata arid. The estimated breeding population 
was about 2,000 pairs in a single, large, spread-out colony. The nests were 
closer together where good stands of Spinifex occurred. Breeding was pro¬ 
tracted. Some birds were still constructing nests and others were caring 
for large young, but a high proportion were still brooding eggs, near-fresh 
in appearance. Nests were platforms of Spinifex stems cemented with 
their excreta and built on the tops of Spinifex clumps. Sitting birds sat 
tightly, “clacking” their bills loudly as we walked through the colony. 
The entire colony studded with the brilliant red inflated gular sacs of 
the males was a spectacular sight. The sacs were deflated as we approached 
each section of the colony. A single egg formed the clutch. The average 
size of a sample of 10 eggs was 63 x 45 mm, varying from 56 - 72 x 41 - 48 
mm. 

Crested Tern, Sterna hergii . An estimated 300 pairs were nesting in 
close proximity in four groups near the summit of the island. All nests 
contained either one egg or one chick. A sample of 10 eggs averaged 61 x 40 
mm, varying from 57-65 x 35-44 mm. 

Lesser Crested Tern, Sterna hengalensis. The presence of this species 
on Bedout Island was first noted by Serventy who, though he saw large 
numbers of individuals, failed to find any evidence of breeding. We located 
one nesting pair, incubating an ecg near the middle of a group of about 
100 nesting Crested Terns. We disturbed the group briefly several times 
and the sitting bird invariably returned to the same egg. This measured 
55 x 37 mm. Several other birds of the species were feeding large young 
hidden among the Spinifex close to the water’s edge. 

Roseate Tern, Sterna dougallii. Several hundred of this species were 
observed during the voyage, in flocks of up to 100 birds, feeding on 
schools of small fish. Only an odd bird was noted at the island and they 
were not breeding. 

Common Noddy, A nous stolidus . A flock of several thousand were 
perched on the tops of Spinifex clumps. When disturbed by our approach 
they flew, settling on the beach near the water’s edge, so close that they 
appeared as a brown mass. While there was no evidence of breeding their 
behaviour suggested this was imminent. Tunney collected eggs on May 21, 
1901; there was no nesting on Serventy’s visit on October 19, 1949. 

A single pair of a dark tern, either the Sooty, Sterna fuscata, or the 
Bridled, S. anaethetus, were present and incubating an egg on the bare 
sand among the Spinifex. Positive identification of the species was not 
made. The egg measured 49 x 35 mm. Tunney recorded both species breed¬ 
ing on his visit. 

Reef Heron, Egretta sacra. A pair of white-phase birds were flushed 
from among the Spinifex. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

The Lands and Surveys Department kindly supplied details of location 
and area of the island. We are grateful to Dr. D. L. Serventy for his 
encouragement and assistance in preparing this article. 

REFERENCES 

TUNNEY, J. T. 1902. Field notes ... on Bedout Island . . . The Emu, 

1 (2): 73. 

SERVENTY, D. L. 1952. The Bird Islands of the Sahul Shelf. The Emu, 

52 (1): 33-59. 


190 


BIRDS OF BEDOUT ISLAND—A VISIT IN MAY 1975 

By NICHOLAS KOLICHIS, Osborne Park 


INTRODUCTION 

In May 1975 I chartered a 12 m boat from Port Hedland to observe 
the effects of Cyclone “Trixie”, of February 17-24, 1975, on the birdlife 
of Bedout and North Turtle Islands. On February 18 the eye of the cyclone 
had passed by the eastern side of Bedout I. and winds estimated between 
130-185 km per hour blew over the two islands (Bureau of Meteorology). 
An earlier visit, three years previously, by T. E. Bush and G. A. Lodge 
provided the stimulus for the trip and a basis for comparison of the 
breeding regime between the two seasons. 

BEDOUT ISLAND 

Notes on my observations on May 11 follow: 

Brown Gannet, Sula leucogaster. There were about 1,000 nesting pairs 
scattered all over the island, excepting the southern end, nesting on the 
beaches above high water mark and amongst the clumps of Spinifex longi- 
folius. The nests varied considerably, eggs being laid either on the bare 
ground or in substantial structures of Spinifex stems, feathers, seaweed and 
odd pieces of sea shell. The constructed nests were much larger than those 
of the Masked Gannct. average measurements being about 45 cm across 
and about 4 cm deep. Most contained two eggs, the remainder one. One 
large chick was found on the island, covered in white down. Several dead 
adults were found among the Spinifex clumps. 

Egg measurements of six selected clutches: A, 60.9 x 41.9 mm; 59.4 
x 41.8. B, 60.9 x 42.0; 53.7 x 39.1. C, 61.5 x 42.7; 65.1 x 44.5. D, 53.3 
x 39.8; 55.8 x 41.7. E, 59.6 x 41.6; 61.4 x 42.8. F, 59.9 x 38.3; 62.7 x 41.2. 
Average, 59.5 x 41.5 mm. 

Masked Gannet, Sula dactylatra. About 270 nesting pairs were found 
in three separate groups. The greater number of nests were shallow scrapes, 
the eggs being laid on bare ground. Odd nests had loose linings of short 
pieces of Spinifex longifolitis, feathers and small sea shells. Most contained 
two eggs, occasional ones had one egg, and one nest was found with three 
eggs. No young were seen. Nest sizes averaged about 30 cm across and 
were about 4 cm deep. Odd pairs of Brown Ganncts nested among the 
Masked Gannets in all three groups. 

In Group 1 about 90 pairs nested on a patch of bare ground sur¬ 
rounded by Spinifex on the south side near the base of the lighthouse. 
Group 2 comprised about 150 nesting pairs in a similar situation north¬ 
west of the lighthouse. Group 3 consisted of about 30 pairs on the 
northern end of the island, their nests being between high water mark 
and the edge of the Spinifex. 

Egg measurements of seven selected clutches: A, 64.0 x 56.5 mm; 

67.9 x 57.4. B, 68.4 x 39.5; 66.4 x 41.1. C, 66.0 x 46.1; 64.7 x 45.6. 

D, 63.0 x 44.0; 62.1 x 43.0. E, 59.1 x 47.4; 62.1 x 46.0. F, 66.3 x 44.5; 

62.2 x 43.8. G (a 3-egg clutch), 55.9 x 41.8; 60.2 x 44.3; 60.0 x 42.0. 

Average, 63.2 x 45.5 mm. 

Lesser Frigate-bird, Fregata Uriel. About 900 nesting pairs were scat¬ 
tered practically all over the island, excepting at the northern end. The 
biggest nesting concentration was on the west side of the island. The birds 
nested in various size groups, from lone pairs to an aggregation of about 
one hundred, each individual just out of pecking range of its neighbours. 
About ten nesting pairs were the most frequent group. Both sexes were 
seen incubating at the same time in most groups, but others varied from 
all male to all female incubating birds. 

The nests were built on the top of clumps of Spinifex; none were on 
the ground. They were shallow and saucer-shaped, constructed entirely of 
Spinifex. They averaged 25-30 cm across by 4 cm in depth. Incubation 


191 


stages varied from fresh eggs to newly hatched young. Only five young had 
hatched whilst we were on the island and no large fledglings were seen. 
Several dead adults were noticed. 

Egg measurements of six selected clutches: A, 71.2 x 42.6 mm. B, 
66.9 x^44.3. C, 58.5 x 39.6. D, 62.3 x 45.4. E, 60.5 x 43.0. F, 67.7 x 42.5. 
Average, 64.5 x 42.9 mm. 

Crested Tern, Sterna bergii. About 200 nesting pairs were found in 
two separate groups—the larger, of 150 pairs, were at the southern end of 
the island, and the second, of about 50 pairs, at the northern end. The 
birds were on eggs; no chicks were found, but about 30 large fledglings 
were sighted in a group near the beach at the southern tip of the island. 

Lesser Crested Tern, Sterna bengalensis. Several individuals were rest¬ 
ing on the beach with a small party of Crested Terns. Two pairs were 
nesting—one pair in each of the Crested Tern colonics. The egg measure¬ 
ments in the two clutches were: A, 54.5 x 37.2 mm. B, 53.4 x 34.9 mm. 
Average, 53.9 x 36.1 mm. 

Nankeen Kestrel, Falco cenchroides. One bird found dead. Rigor 
mortis had not set in when the body was discovered. There was no obvious 
cause of death, but the bird may have died of starvation as no mice or 
large insects were noticed on the island. 

Sooty' Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma matsudeirae. Five individuals were 
seen flying close to the surface of the sea, sighted from our boat on May 
12 between Bedout I. and North Turtle I. The birds were entirely blackish- 
brown with deeply forked tails. 

DISCUSSION 

Tunney between May 19 and 30, 1901 recorded eggs of the following 
species: Brown Gannet, Masked Gannet, Lesser Frigate-bird, Crested Tern 
and Sooty Tern. In addition he collected specimens of the Common Noddy 
on the nest, now in the Western Australian Museum (Scrvcnty, 1952). 
Tunney did not record seeing any young but an accompanying photograph 
shows downy young of both Brown and Masked Ganncts. Assuming that 
the photograph was taken on the date of Tunncy’s visit, and estimating the 
chicks’ age at 4-5 weeks, this would indicate that egg-laying had com¬ 
menced in early February. 

Bush and Lodge (1977) on May 14-15, 1972 recorded breeding of 
Brown Gannet, Masked Gannet, Lesser Frigate-bird, Crested Tern and 
Lesser Crested Tern, ranging from nest construction to fledged young 
(Table 1). Some Brown Gannet young were large and fully feathered 
(Bush, pers. comm.), and egg-laying of this species probably continued 
throughout the summer months of that season. Serventy’s visit on October 
19, 1949 found Brown and Masked Gannets on eggs, with a few newly- 
hatched chicks of the former. 

These records indicate that egg-laying in both species of Ganncts on 
Bedout I. has two peaks, in the autumn and the spring. 


TABLE 1.—NUMBER OF BREEDING PAIRS AND STAGES OF NESTING IN A 
NORMAL YEAR. 1972 (DATA FROM BUSH AND LODGE) 



Breeding 

Pairs 

Nests Under 
Construction 

Eggs 

Small 

Young 

Large 

Fledglings 

Masked Gannet . 

400 

* 

* 


* 

Brown Gannet . 

5.000 

* 

* 

* 

* 

Lesser Frigate-bird . 

2,000 

* 

* 

* 

* 

Crested Tern . 

300 

nil 

* 

* 

nil 

Lesser Crested Tern . 

Several 

nil 


nil 

* 


* means present 


192 







TABLE 2.—NUMBER OF BREEDING PAIRS AND STAGES OF NESTING IN THE 
YEAR OF CYCLONE “TRIXIE", 1975 



Breeding 

Pairs 

Nests Under 
Construction 

Eggs 

Small 

Young 

Large 

Fledglings 

Masked Gannet . 

270 

nil 

* 

nil 

nil 

Brown Gannet . 

1,000 

nil 

* 

nil 

(1)‘ 

Lesser Frigate-bird . 

900 

nil 

* 

(5)* 

nil 

Crested Tern . 

200 

nil 

* 

nil 

* 

Lesser Crested Tern . 

2 

nil 

* 

nil 

nil 


* moans present 


Comparing Tables 1 and 2 it can be seen that Cyclone “Trixie” had 
a marked effect on breeding numbers and stages of nesting on Bedout 1. 
On my visit all breeding birds were at a similar stage of nesting. Because 
only five Lesser Frigate-birds/chicks were hatching 1 believe that the 
birds re-constructed nests and re-layed after the cyclone had completely 
destroyed their first attempt. No evidence of addled eggs or dead chicks 
was found, however, and any such not blown into the sea would have 
been removed by predators. Evidence that breeding had occurred before 
Cyclone “Trixie” is indicated by the presence of a large Brown Gannet 
chick and a group of Crested Tern fledglings. These young birds may 
have been among the few survivors of the cyclone by sheltering amongst 
the clumps of Spinifex, 

Servcnty and Whittcll (1976) give the incubation period of the Lesser 
Frigate-bird as 41 days; chicks were hatching during my visit. A freshly 
broken Brown Gannet egg had a fully developed embryo not far 
from hatching. As the incubation period of this species is 43-47 days 
(Serventy et al. t 1971) 1 believe that egg-laying re-commenced approxi¬ 
mately five weeks after the passing of Cyclone “Trixie”. 

Although the cyclone must have destroyed much bird-life and did 
disrupt the normal breeding season of these birds it is evident that breed¬ 
ing colonies will re-establish, but on a smaller scale. Provided such cyclones 
did not occur too frequently over the same area numbers would build 
up again. 


NORTH TURTLE ISLAND 

Notes on a visit on May 12: 

Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax varius. A colony of approximately 
1,500 nesting pairs were on the south-western end of the island. The nests 
were built on the ground about 60 cm apart; bowl-shaped, built of sticks 
and twigs, and lined sparsely with Spinifex stems, sea-weed and, occasionally, 
with odd feathers. All the nests contained eggs; clutches of three eggs 
were most common, followed by clutches of four; those with one and 
two eggs were least frequent. As these last-mentioned were clean, had 
no scratch marks, nor were polished from incubating birds, they could 
have been incomplete clutches. One nest contained five eggs. One dead 
adult was found in the colony. 

Australian Pelican, Pelecanus conspicillatus. Three separate nesting 
colonies were found on the island, two active and one abandoned. The 
greater number of nests were shallow scrapes, lined sparsely with large 
pieces of Spinifex longifolins, feathers and grasses. A small number lacked 
any lining and the eggs were laid on the bare ground. The first group 
of nests was on the south-western end of the island, about 100 m from 
the shore in a patch of open ground. It consisted of about 200 nesting 
pairs sitting on eggs; two-egg clutches predominated with an occasional 
clutch of three. In some nests the eggs had started chipping. The second 
group, about 300 m to the north-west, comprised 40 nesting pairs. Seven 
nests contained two eggs, 24 nests had one egg, and nine nests were 
ready for laying. One clutch of two eggs was collected, measurements 


193 







being 93.1 x 55.4 mm and 96.1 x 51.4 mm, and incubation had barely 
started. The third group, the abandoned one, was on the north-eastern 
end of the island. It covered an area of about half a hectare and contained 
a large number of addled eggs and dead young, varying from recently 
hatched nestlings to larger, feathered young about five weeks old. Most 
of the eggs and dead young were blown against clumps of Spinifex and 
small bushes, undoubtedly by the strong winds of Cyclone “Trixie”. It 
would appear that after the cyclone the birds re-nested as the two 
groups just mentioned, but in lesser strength. No dead adults were found 
on the island. 

Lesser Frigate-bird, Fregata arid. One lone bird was flying over the 
water at the southern end of the island. 

Caspian Tern, Hydroprogne caspia. Ten birds were flying together 
along the shore. No nesting was taking place, though an abandoned egg, 
partly buried in the sand, was found just above high water mark. It was 
collected and found to be fresh. 

Eastern Curlew, Numenius madagascariensis. Two birds were feeding 
on the tidal flats. 

White-breasted Sea-Eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster . A pair was soaring 
over the island. A nest, not in use, was found on the eastern side. The 
normal nesting period, at North-West Cape, is between June and August 
(Serventy and Whittell, 1976). 

Mangrove Kingfisher, Halcyon chloris. One pair were seen perched 
on a discarded 44-gallon drum partly buried in the sand. 

Australian Pipit, A nth its novaeseelandiae. Two pairs were seen amongst 
short vegetation. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

I wish to extend my thanks to Messrs. T. and C. Allen, J. B. Woods 
and S. Filov, who accompanied and shared expenses with me on this trip. 
I am grateful to the skipper, Mr. K. Hanley and his crew of the Phantom, 
who made our trip quite pleasant. My thanks also go to the Bureau of 
Meteorology for the information on Cyclone “Trixie” in this area. To Dr. 
D. L. Serventy and Miss L. A. Hoare, I am very grateful for help in 
the preparation of this paper. 

REFERENCES 

BUSH, T. E., and G. A. LODGE, 1977. Birds of Bedout Island. W. Aust. 

Nat., 13 (8): 189-190. 

SERVENTY, D. L. 1952. The Bird Islands of the Sahul Shelf. Emu, 52 

(1): 33-59. 

SERVENTY, D. L., V. N. SERVENTY and J. WARHAM. 1971. The 

Handbook of Australian Sea-Birds. Reed. Sydney. 

SERVENTY, D. L., and H. M. WHITTELL. 1976. Birds of Western 

Australia. University Press, Perth. 5th cdn. 

TUNNEY, J. T. 1902. Field Notes on Bedout Island. Emu, 1 (2): 73, and 

PI. 11 in Emu, 1 (1). 


NOTES ON KIMBERLEY BIRDS 

By W. H. BUTLER, Wanneroo 

In winter and spring 1975 I spent three months in the Kimberley 
Division collecting and observing birds for Dr. G. M. Storr (Western 
Australian Museum) who is preparing a checklist of the birds of the Kim- 
berleys. My field work was financed by an Australian Biological Resources 
Study grant to Dr. Storr who directed the field activities. 

The first half of the work was carried out in the far south-east of 
the Division, especially in the arid Gardiner and Denison Ranges, respec¬ 
tively at Granny Soak (19° 07’ S, 128° 53’ E) and Palm Spring 


194 


(19° 20’ S, 128° 20’ E). The second half of the work was carried out in 
the northern half of the Yampi Peninsula, including Kimbolton Spring 
(16° 38’ S, 123° 43’ E) and Port Usborne (16° 34’ S, 123° 38’ E). Listed 
below are some of the more interesting records. 

White Goshawk (Accipiter novaehollandiac). On September 7 a 
brownish immature bird was collected in mangroves at Port Usborne. On 
the previous day an all-white bird was seen in the same mangroves. 
These are the westernmost records of this rare hawk. Gut content was a 
partly digested snake. 

Flock Pigeon (Histriophaps histrionica). Relatively small flocks (up to 
25 birds) were seen in flight over the Gardiner and Denison Ranges. In the 
much more suitable country around Sturt Creek HS (19° 10’ S, 128° 10’ E) 
a flock of more than a thousand birds was observed in early July. 

White-quilled Rock-pigeon (Petrophassa albipennis). The dark West 
Kimberley race was locally common on the Yampi Peninsula on quartzite 
ridges and in sandstone country. A nest and two heavily incubated eggs 
were found near Kimbolton Spring on September 2. 

Partridge Pigeon (Geophaps smithii). The West Kimberley race, G. 5. 
blaauwi, characterized by yellow' orbital skin, was common around Kim¬ 
bolton Spring, the south-westernmost locality known for this bird. 

Major Mitchell Cockatoo (Cacatua leadbeateri). On September 21 1 
saw a pair beside the Great Northern Highway at 19 km south-west of 
the turnoff into Thangoo HS (Roebuck Bay). The locality (18° 20’ S, 
122° 12’ E) is the first for this cockatoo from west of Geegully Creek 
(160 km to the east). 

Port Lincoln Parrot (Barnardius zonarius). Records of this species from 
the Gardiner and Denison Ranges are the first for the Kimberley Division. 
Specimens were collected at Granny Soak and Palm Spring. 

Tawny Frogniouth (Podargus strigoides). An adult male collected at 
Palm Spring on June 29 is the first record of the southern race, P. s. 
strigoides, for the Kimberley Division; it matches well with Pilbara speci¬ 
mens. Further north in the Kimberleys the Tawny Frogniouth is repre¬ 
sented by the smaller, paler and more delicately patterned P. s. phalaenoides. 

Brown-breasted Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla woodwcirdi). Specimens 
collected among granite boulders near the Great Northern Highway at 4 
km E of the Laura River crossing (18° 34’ S, 127° 15’ E) and on quartzite 
ridges at Kimbolton Spring are respectively the southernmost and western¬ 
most records of this superb songster. 

Large-billed Warbler (G cry gone magnirostris). Three specimens col¬ 
lected in the mangroves at Port Usborne extend the known range of this 
species for 200 km to the south-west. The previous south-western limit 
was St. George Basin (Johnstone, 1975). 

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (Acanthagenys rufogularis). This bird, pre¬ 
viously unknown in the Kimberley Division, was collected at three localities: 
Palm Spring (Denison Range), near Sturt Creek HS (19° 10’ S, 128° 10’ E) 
and south of Lake Betty (19° 35’ S, 126° 22’ E). Other desert honcyeaters, 
rarely seen in the Kimberleys, were common in the Gardiner and Denison 
Ranges, namely the Pied, Black and White-fronted (respectively Certhionyx 
v arie gat us, C. niger and Phylidonyris albifrons). 

Grey Butcher-bird (Cracticus torquatus). This bird was moderately 
common in riverine forests around Kimbolton Spring, which is the west¬ 
ernmost locality for the Kimberley-Northern Territory race, C. /. argenteus, 
the so-called Silver-backed Butcher-bird. 

REFERENCE 

JOHNSTONE, R. E. 1975. Distribution and taxonomic status of the 

Dusky Warbler Gerygone tenebrosa. Emu, 75: 185-188. 


195 


OBSERVATIONS ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF BIRD SPECIES ON 
SMALL ISLANDS NEAR PERTH 

Bv IAN ABBOTT, Zoology Department, University of Western Australia, 

Nedlands 6009. 

During 1975 while studying aspects of the ecology of Silvereyes (Zos- 
terops lateralis gouldi) I visited nearly all of the small islets around Rottnest 
Island, and those between Rottnest Island and the Six Sisters some 40 km 
to the* south. In all, 120 islets and stacks were visited. Here I present 
brief distributional notes for nine seabird species and for several other 
species seen. Previously unrecorded breeding sites for Wedge-tailed Shear¬ 
water, Pied Cormorant, Osprey, Silver Gull, Caspian Tern and Bridled 
Tern were found. 

Details of visits are as follows: On February 24, 1975 all islets between 
Bird and East Shag Islands, Shoalwatcr Bay; on March 25 - 26, 1975 Arm¬ 
strong, Monday, Duck, Joan and Phillip Rocks, Parakeet, and Dyer Islands 
and three nearby rocks (all adjacent to Rottnest Island); on October 3, 
1975 islands between Point Peron proper and the Sisters (excluding 
Penguin I.); on December 6, 1975 Straggler Rocks, Mewstone, Rowboat 
and Seal Rocks, all islets around Carnac (including Shag, West, South-west, 
Arch and Flat Rocks), Entrance Rocks and Mushroom-shaped stack oppo¬ 
site Mt. Lotus on Garden Island; on December 12 1975 stacks near Mt. 
Haycock and Pt. Atwick, Garden Island; and on December 19, 1975 all 
islets around Rottnest Island apart from the four in Rocky Bay. Penguin 
Island was visited on October 6, 1974, March 8, 1975, July 25, 1975 and 
October 6, 1975. I visited Carnac Island on August 27, 1974, and in 1975 
seven weeks were spent there, as follows: January 20-26 (inclusive), March 
11-17, April 29-May 5, June 24-30, August 5-11, September 23-29 and 
November 11-17. 

I hope to publish comprehensive notes on the avifaunas of Garden 
and Carnac Islands later. Storr (1964) has already very fully described 
the avifauna of Rottnest Island and some of its stacks and no mention 
of the birds on Rottnest Island proper will be made here. The situation in 
the 1940’s for the larger islands in Shoalw'ater Bay was documented by 
Serventy and White (1943). Storr's and Serventy and White’s checklists 
provide reliable baselines with which to monitor subsequent distributional 
changes. 

ANNOTATED LIST 

Little Penguin, Eudyptula minor. Common breeding resident on Carnac 
Island, taking advantage of plentiful loose soil at base of limestone cliffs 
for burrowing. Serventy and Whittell (1962), but not Serventy el al. (1971) 
record the Mewstone and Green Island (near Rottnest) as breeding sites. 
Certainly the latter is too steep-sided on all sides for penguins to climb 
up, and although the former has suitable burrowing sites I did not notice 
any carcasses or characteristic guano. A carcass was found on Seal I. in 
March and several birds were heard braying under Rhagodia bushes just 
above the beach in October. None were noticed on Middle Shag I. or Bird 
I. Undoubtedly Penguin I. is, with Carnac I., their West coast stronghold. 

Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Puffinus pacificus. Common resident on 
Carnac I., where the distribution of their burrows was mapped by Wat¬ 
son (1956). Burrows also were found on Green and Dyer Is. and Flat 
Rock and birds were seen on Carnac I. and Flat Rock. A few burrows, 
possibly belonging to this species, were found on East Cathedral Rock 
(Eagle Bay, Rottnest), Duck Rock and Shag Rock (north of Carnac I.). 
Burrows on Parakeet I. near Rottnest presumably arc of this species, as 
P. assimilis was not recorded by Storr (1964) as still breeding there. 

White-faced Storm-Petrel, Pelagodroma marina. Five burrows of this 
species were found in March on a cliff just north of the beach on Bird I. 
None was noted on Seal I., where recorded by Serventy et al. (1971). 


196 


Pied Cormorant, Phalacrocorax varius. Nesting colonies were found 
as follows: Dyer 1. (March, eggs and large young but only about 20 nests 
active); Flat Rock (recently used nests); South-west Rock (recently used 
nests on north side); West Rock (a few old nests); southern peninsula of 
Carnac I. (a few nests in use on August 27, 1974, but none used in 1975); 
Bird I. (recently used nests); West and Middle Shag Is. (large young in 
October); North-west Sister I. (eggs) and South-east Sister I. (eggs noted). 

Many islands have a substantial covering of cormorant guano, and 
are presumably favoured loafing sites. Such islets include Phillip Rock, 
Middle Twin Rock, Dyer, rock stack near beach in Stark Bay, Duck 
Rock (all near Rottnest), tallest of Straggler Rocks, Mewstone, Rowboat 
Rock, headlands and beaches of Carnac I., South-west Rock, Flat Rock, 
the western Entrance Rocks, South Brother Rock, stack off Mt. Haycock, 
Garden I., rock north of Fisherman Head, Cape Peron, Mushroom-shaped 
rock south of Fisherman Head, West, Middle and Fast Shag Is., Second 
Rock south of Penguin I., and Passage Rock. Of course many other rocks 
that are exposed at low tides are used for resting. 

Mountain Duck, Tadorna tadornoides. My only records are from on 
or near the eastern beach of Carnac I.: Two in August 1974, four in March 
1975, two in June 1975 and three in August 1975. 

Osprey, Pandion haliaetus. 1 know definitely of five nests, one on 
Garden l. and four on Rottnest I.: on stack near Pt. Atwick, Garden I. 
(two adults and two free-flying juveniles); stack on beach in Salmon Bay 
(two adults, no eggs or young); stack at south-western end of Strickland 
Bay (two adults, one egg which was presumably addled and one large 
chick); Middle Cathedral Rock (unattended nest); one small, low nest on 
stack west of North Point of Rottnest I. is presumed to be a new nest. 
A large stack in Rocky Bay was not landed on but apparently has an 
Osprey nest. 

One osprey was seen perched on a pole on one of the North-eastern 
Straggler rocks, and one was seen overhead at Carnac 1. in March and two 
overhead there in August. There arc certainly no nests on or near Carnac 
I., perhaps because the extent of reef is insufficient for a pair to forage 
over. 


Turnstone, Arenaria interpres. Six were seen on eastern beach on Car¬ 
nac I. in January, four on the Entrance Rocks and one on Bird I. in 
October. 

Silver Gull, Larus novaehollandiae. Gulls were observed on Phillip 
Rock, Joan Rock (nesting in March), Dyer I., Green I., Middle Cathedral 
Rock (dead chick), eastern Cathedral Rock, stack west of first point north 
of jetty in Geordie Bay, Armstrong Rock. Parakeet I.. Monday Rock 
(recently used nest). Duck Rock, Mewstone (dead chicks), Shag Rock (dead 
chick). South-west Rock (dead chicks), Flat Rock, islet farthest from Pt. 
Peron proper (50 birds, some nesting). White Rock (recently used nest). 
Bird I. (nesting in October), Seal Island (hundreds nesting), West and 
Middle Shag Is., Islet north-east of Penguin (one nest). Passage Rock and 
north-western Sister I. (one chick). On Carnac I. they mass around the 
eastern beach in March, and breeding begins soon after. Two chicks were 
found in April/May, and hundreds of chicks were found in June, August 
and September. By November breeding had markedly decreased. Gulls on 
Carnac I. have a double-brooding regime (Nicholls. 1974). The largest 
colonies in the area covered in this paper are on Carnac, Penguin and 
Seal Islands. 

Pacific Gull, Larus pad ficus. Non-breeding birds were reported from 
Penguin and Seal Is. by Scrventy and White (1943). None noted, possibly 
because of increased populations of Silver Gulls there recently. 

Caspian Tern, Hydropropne caspia. None seen on the stacks around 
Rottnest I. One observed on Carnac on August 27, 1974. One pair nested 
near the northwestern end of Carnac I. and in August two large chicks 


197 


were present. In September and November two birds apparently nested 
on the southern peninsula of Carnac I. as I was dive-bombed consistently, 
but a thorough search did not reveal a nest. Three were observed on the 
eastern beach in February, and one in June, on Carnac I. 

On Bird I. in October one pair was found with one large chick 
still on the nest and a pair was on Seal I. in October and from their 
behaviour toward me were probably nesting. 

Crested Tern, Sterna bergii. Seen loafing on Armstrong Rock and 
Green I. in March. They occur all year round at Carnac I. In August 60 
adults with eggs or very young chicks were found on the northern penin¬ 
sula of Carnac I.; by September 40 adults with 50 large chicks (forming 
creches) were present, but by November all had flown. One large fledge¬ 
ling was seen to beg from two adults on the eastern beach of Carnac I. 
in November. 

A colony of 20 adults, with eggs, was present on the northern end 
of Seal I. in October. 

Bridled Tern, S. anaethetus. Widespread. On Carnac 1. found in Janu¬ 
ary (but not March) but absent until September when six were seen. By 
November hundreds had arrived. Found on Phillip Rock (but not March 
25), Joan I. (not March 26), Dyer I. (not March 26, one chick found in 
December), Middle and eastern Cathedral Rocks, rock west of first point 
north of jetty in Geordie Bay, Parakeet I. (not March 25), Clune Rock, 
Duck Rock (not March 25), but surprisingly not on Green I. or Monday 
Rock. Also occurs on the tallest of the Straggler Rocks, a vegetated rock 
southwest of the last, Mewstonc, Shag Rock, West Rock, South-west 
Rock. Flat Rock, islet south west of Flat Rock, Arch Rock (one chick 
found), islet farthest from Point Peron proper. Bird I. (February and Octo¬ 
ber), Seal I. (February and October), West and Middle Shag Is. (February 
and October), Hast Shag (October only), first islet south of Penguin (Feb¬ 
ruary and October), and eastern Tub Rock. It is probable that most, if 
not all, of these records are also breeding sites. 

Silvereye, Zosterops lateralis gouldi. In March one was seen to fly 
across to Rottnest I. from Green I. Two were seen in Nitraria thickets on 
Flat Rock and presumably were vagrant from Carnac I., where some are 
present all year. 


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

My research on Silvercyes is supported by the Australian Research 
Grants Committee. I thank Bob Black, Dave Bray, Gavin McGIashan and 
John Scott who on the various visits handled the boat while I was ashore 
on the islets. Dr. T. Riggert allowed me use of a boat at Rottnest in 
March and Mr. B. Carmichael of the Department of Fisheries and Fauna 
arranged transport to Carnac I. on August 27, 1974, 

REFERENCES 

NICHOLLS, C. A. 1974. Double-brooding in a Western Australian popu¬ 
lation of the Silver Gull, Larus novaehollancliae Stephens. Aust. J. 
Zool., 22: 63-70. 

SERVENTY, D. L. and H. M. WHITTELL. 1962. Birds of Western 
Australia. 3rd edn. Paterson Brokcnsha; Perth. 

SERVENTY, D. L., V. SERVENTY and J. WARHAM. 1971. The Hand¬ 
book of Australian Sea-birds. Reed: Sydney. 

SERVENTY, V. N. and S. R. WHITE. 1943. Birds of Warnbro Sound, 
Western Australia. Emu, 43: 81-95. 

STORR, G. M. 1964. The avifauna of Rottnest Island, Western Australia. 
I. Marine birds. Emu: 64: 48-60. 

WATSON, J. A. L. 1956. The birds of Carnac Island, Western Australia. 
W. Aust. Nat., 6: 185-190. 


198 


NOTE ADDED IN PROOF 

1 revisited Carnac Island from August 31 to September 7, 1976 
Conspicuous changes in abundance of two seabird species were* noted 
About 100 Pied Comorant nests were found on the southern peninsula 
resulting in considerable damage to the vegetation. Six nests each had 
one chick close to leaving the nest, and four nests had either eggs or very 
small chicks. The rest had already been used. Hundreds of cormorants 
were observed resting on this peninsula, as well as on Flat Rock. 

The Crested Tern rookery on the NE peninsula was reduced to seven 
birds, and I found one nest with one egg, one nest with one small chick 
and two runners. A pair of Caspian Terns nested in exactly the same 
place as 1975, and I found a scrape containing one large chick. No Bridled 
Terns had yet appeared. 


THE COLLECTION OF POPLAR RUST SPORES BY HONEY-BEES 

By B. DELL, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, 

Murdoch University. 

SUMMARY 

The Collection of uredospores of Melampsora larici - populina on Populus nigra var 
italica by Apis mellifera is reported. Uredospores were identified from corbiculae as well 
as from the contents of larval food reserves in a bee-hive. This is the first record of the 
collection of rust spores by honey-bees. 

INTRODUCTION 

The spores of fungi have exploited the agents of wind and water 
very effectively for dispersal, there being few examples of insect-dispersed 
fungi. Insects are more often attracted to aromatic exudates, such as those 
associated with the conidia of Claviceps and pycnidiospores of some rusts, 
than they are to the spores themselves. Indirect dispersal of fungal spores 
by the movement of insects over infected trees or flowers can have serious 
consequences. The Dutch elm disease was effectively spread by bark- 
beetles. There are no reports in the literature on the collection of rust 
uredospores by insects. Rusts arc important plant pathogens and the pos¬ 
sible spread of rust spores by insects should not be overlooked. 

OBSERVATIONS 

During March and April, 1976, large numbers of the introduced honey¬ 
bee (Apis mellifera) were observed foraging amongst leaves of the Lom¬ 
bardy poplar (Populus nigra var. italica) in two stands, approximately 2 
km apart, near Kalamunda. The trees were heavily infected with the 
European Poplar Rust (Melampsora larici-populina Klebahn). This plant 
pathogen was recently reported in Australia and New Zealand (Anon., 
1974/5; Van Kraayenoord et al, 1974; Walker et ai, 1974). The latter 
paper documents the detection, spread and host range of poplar rusts in 
Eastern Australia. 

Infected leaves are characterized by necrotic patches, 2-5 mm across, 
on their upper surface corresponding to eruptions of uredia on the lower 
surface. The uredia produce elongated, spiny uredospores approximately 
36 x 18 /mi. The spores are bright yellow due to a pigment located 
inside the cells. Groups of yellow uredospores tend to aggregate because 
of their spines and fall in groups when the leaves arc shaken. Due to 
their colour and dryness they have the superficial appearance of groups 
of pollen grains on the lower surface of the leaf. The lower leaves and 
older leaves are first infected by the disease, but on some larger trees 
examined, the disease had progressed about 18 m high to the top branches. 

Bees were actively working infected poplar trees, gathering the yel¬ 
low rust spores. Samples of bees collected from the trees had their corbi- 


199 



Fig. 1A.—Uredospores taken from the corbiculus of a bee foraging in 

poplar trees ( x 170). 

Fig. IB.—Part of the contents of a nursery cell. The isodiametric cells are 
pollen grains. Two uredospores are arrowed ( x 170). 


culae (pollen baskets) packed with yellow material. Under the microscope 
(Fig. 1A), this was seen to contain the uredospores of M. larici-populina. 
Very little foreign matter was present. 

At a distance of approximately 0.4 km from one stand of poplars, 
the contents of larval cells were removed from a bee-hive. The matrix 
consisted of a large number of marri (Eucalyptus calophylla) pollen grains 
and a smaller number of rust spores (Fig. IB). The rust spores were re¬ 
cognizable because of their distinctive shape and yellow contents. This is 
good evidence that the bees were collecting rust spores for potential food. 
The hive was next to state forest and this would account for the large 
number of pollen grains. Apart from the stand of poplars mentioned above, 
the nearest poplars were over 2 km distant. It is unlikely that wind could 
have blown the spores into the hive because of the distances involved and 
the weight of the spore clumps. Sheridan et al. (1975) found very few rust 
spores in the air near poplar trees in New Zealand and suggested that 
the groups of spores were too heavy for wind dispersal. 

DISCUSSION 

The observation that bees were actively collecting uredospores of the 
European Poplar Rust raises some interesting points. It is not known, for 
example, why the bees were attracted to the spores. The spores are similar 
both in size and overall shape to many types of pollen and possibly could 
be mistaken by the bees as pollen grains. Apart from colour, bees may 
be attracted to potential food by scent. Adjacent to one stand of poplars, 
leaves of plum trees were heavily infected with the red-brown uredospores 
of the Plum Rust (Tranzoschclia pruni-spinosae (Pers.) Diet.). However, 
no bees were observed collecting these spores and no spores were present 
either in the samples taken from corbiculae or the bee-hive. This suggests 
that the bees may have been attracted to the poplar rust by the colour 
of the rust spores. 

The value of rust spores as a food source for bee larvae needs to be 
established. Like most propagules it can be expected that the uredospores 
are highly nutritious. However, it is known that bees collect pollen and 
nectar which may be poisonous to bees (e.g. Bailey, 1963). Feeding experi¬ 
ments should be carried out to determine whether poplar rust spores 
are toxic to bees. 


200 


Clearly, foraging bees can lead to a rapid spread of the pathogen 
from tree to tree and may be responsible for the rapid dispersal of the 
disease in the Perth Metropolitan area. Sheridan et al. (1975) suggest that 
in New Zealand, sheep grazing under poplars and birds could be significant 
in dispersal of uredosporcs. The dispersal by bees appears to be more 
probable and should be investigated elsewhere. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

I wish to thank Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Fortcscue for drawing my atten¬ 
tion to bees in poplar trees, Mr. R. Dell for samples from bee-hives, and 
Mr. R. N. Hilton for identification of the Plum Rust. 

REFERENCES 

ANON. 1974/5. Annual Report Plant Research Division, Department of 
Agriculture, Western Australia. 

BAILEY, L. 1963. Injections Diseases of the Honey-bee. Land Books, 
London. 

SHERIDAN, J. E., J. E. HARPER and G. STEVENSON. 1975. Note on 
Epidemiology and Control of Poplar Leaf Rust. N.7. J. Sci., 18: 
211-16. 

VAN KRAAYENOORD, C. W. S., G. F. LAUNDON and A. G. SPIERS. 

1974. Poplar Rusts Invade New Zealand. Plant Dis. Rep., 58: 423-7. 
WALKER, J., D. HARTIGAN and A. L. BERTUS. 1974. Poplar Rusts 
in Australia, with Comments on Potential Conifer Rusts. Ear. J. For. 
Pathol., 4: 100-18. 


ROOT PARASITISM OF HAKE A SULCATA BY 
NUYTSIA FLORIBUNDA 

By BYRON LAMONT, Biology Department, Western Australian Institute 
of Technology, Bentley, 6102 

During a study of the effects of waterlogging on root growth of Hakea 
sulcata R.Br. (Proteaceac) (Lamorn, 1976), a number of parasitic roots of 
Nuytsia jloribunda (Labill.) R.Br. (Loranthaceac) were encountered. These 
haustoriogens (groups of haustoria forming rings around the host root; 
were first described in detail by Herbert (1919), and further studied by 
Grieve (1975) and Gobcl (1975). 

Resulting from this present study, Fig. 1A shows a rootlet of N. jlori¬ 
bunda attached to a lateral of //. sulcata by a haustoriogen. The //. sulcata 
specimen was growing in a seasonally waterlogged depression in the Ken- 
wick reserve of the Botany Department, University of Western Australia. 
A 2m high specimen of N. jloribunda was located within the swamp at 
a distance of about 4 m from the parasitized //. sulcata, and the next closest 
possible source was a 5 m specimen on a sandy rise about 13 m away. 

Proteoid roots are dense clusters of rootlets found in most species of 
Proteaceac (Lamont, 1972a) and at least one legume (Lamont, 1972b). Fig. 
IB is of particular interest for it shows portion of a proteoid root of //. sul¬ 
cata parasitized by two haustoriogens. The two arms of the collar of the 
smaller haustoriogen have not yet merged. The fact that the N. jloribunda 
roots have not parasitized the proteoid rootlets suggests either (a) that 
there is a minimum surface of contact requirement with a potential host 
before haustoriogen formation is initiated or (b) that the rootlets were 
not exuding the necessary chemical stimulant in sufficient quantities for 
initiation (Grieve, 1975) or (c) that the parent root was parasitized before 
the rootlets had emerged. Closer examination showed that the first two 
hypotheses deserve further study, as rootlets arising beneath the collar 
were not distorted or retarded in any way, but merely displaced laterally. 


201 




Fig. l.—Haustoriogens of Nuytsia jloribunda attached to (A) ‘normal’ and 
(B) proteoid roots of Hakca sulcata. Scales correspond to 5 mm. 


REFERENCES 

GOBEL, T. 1975. Some field observations on Nuytsia jloribunda (Labill.) 
R.Br. W.A. Nat., 29: 50-60. 

GRIEVE, B. J. 1975. Botany in Western Australia: a survey of progress: 

1900-1971. J. Roy. Soc. W.A. . 58: 33-53. 

HERBERT. D. A. 1919. Nuytsia jloribunda (the Christmas Tree). Its 
structure and function. J. and Proc. Roy. Soc. W.A., 5: 72-88. 
LAMONT, B. 1972a. The morphology and anatomy of proteoid roots in 
the genus Hakea. Aust. J. Rot., 20: 155-74. 

LAMONT, B. 1972b. ‘Proteoid’ roots in the legume Viminaria juncea. 
Search, 3: 90-1. 

LAMONT, B. 1976. The effects of seasonality and waterlogging on the 
root systems of a number of Hakea species. A ust. J. Bot., 24: 691-702. 


202 



FROM FIELD AND STUDY 

Early Arrival of the White-winged Triller.—Serventy and Whittell 
(Birds of Western Australia , 1967, p. 308) state that the White-winged 
Triller (Lalage sueurii) arrives in the southern parts of Western Australia 
in the “latter half of September or beginning of October.” However on 
August 23, 1975, near Merredin, I observed a male of the species as it 
foraged through Acacia scrub. Another solitary male was again observed 
on August 28 in the same locality. This early sighting may eventually 
prove to be not so unusual as Loaring and Serventy (W. Aust. Nat., 3, 
1952: 113) recorded a singing male at Lake Wannamal on August 26, 1950. 

—GREG. L1NSTEAD, Merredin. 


White-capped Albatross off Fremantle.—The While-capped Albatross 
(Diomedea cauta) is seen infrequently off Fremantle, W.A., hence the 
following report of a recent observation. 

During the return trip from Rottnest Island on September 7, 1976, 
l observed a single albatross some distance from the vessel. At first sight¬ 
ing the underwing pattern and manner of flight indicated a Wandering 
Albatross D. exulans; a clear view showed the all-white underparts except 
for the dark tips to the wings. However, as the bird banked and changed 
direction, the dorsal view showed the completely dark wing pattern con¬ 
tinuing across the back. The bird was viewed for some minutes before 
disappearing from sight. 

At the time of the observation, a stiff, south-west wind was blowing 
and the sea was choppy. 

S. G. LANE, Lane Cove, N.S.W. 2066. 


The Short-tailed Shearwater in South-Western Western Australia.— 

Hitherto the Short-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus tenuirostris) was unknown in 
Western Australia from west of Hopctoun, 1,250 km west of the nearest 
breeding colony in the Nuyts Archipelago, off Ceduna, S.A. In 1976 
three beach-washed specimens were found considerably further west. 

On April 28, Drs. D. Kabay and A. N. Start collected the remains 
of an all-dark shearwater on the beach at Two Peoples Bay. From its 
condition we estimate that the bird had been dead about a month. The 
white of the under-wing is unusual but not unknown in P. tenuirostris. 

On October 24 Mrs. Alma de Rebeira picked up a dead all-dark 
shearwater on a beach near Albany. Its legs and bill were dark and the 
under-wing was grey. It had probably been washed up a week earlier. 

On November 6 Mrs. dc Rebeira found a decomposed all-dark shear¬ 
water on the beach at Yallingup, south of Cape Naturalistc. Its under- 
wing was grey, and it had probably been dead for 1 - 2 weeks. This 
specimen is the first from the west coast of Australia. 

The measurements of all three specimens are consistent only with 
Puffinus tenuirostris. Respectively the exposed culmcn is 33.0, 33.1, 33.4; 
wing 276, 274, 278; and tail 81, 87 and 82 mm. 

Subsequently the following note was received from Dr. C. S. Lloyd, 
of the Edward Grey Institute, Oxford (she had visited the Esperance 
district in November-March): “On January 16, 1977 1 found a partly 
decomposed all-dark shearwater at Twilight Beach, west of Esperance. 
The culmcn length was 29.7 mm., consistent with Puffinus tenuirostris. 
The skull was shown later to Dr. D. L. Serventy who confirmed the 
identification.” 

—G. M. STORR and R. E. JOHNSTONE, W.A. Museum. 


203 


Swarming Ants. —On June 5, 1975 while travelling from Mandurah to 
Fremantle I drove through swarms of flying ants for approximately 12 km. 
The insects were so thick that their remains blocked the radiator of the 
car causing it to overheat and their mangled bodies, on the windscreen, 
made it extremely difficult to see. It was obvious that other vehicles and 
their drivers were in a similar predicament. 

Another flight was recorded by Mr. Lloyd Pond, Principal, Claremont 
Teachers’ College, who drove through a swarm on April 26, 1975 from 
the 95 km peg north for 26 km on the Albany Highway. He too had prob¬ 
lems of poor visibility and an overheating vehicle. 

The ants, winged males and females, were taking part in a nuptual 
flight. Specimens collected were identified by Mr. Athol Douglas, Western 
Australian Museum, as Aphaenogaster barbigula Wheeler. 

The swarms encountered between Mandurah and Fremantle were 
being actively predated by great numbers of Silver Gulls, Larus novae- 
hollandiae . 

On each occasion the weather was hot and sultry and rain fell within 
12 hours of the sightings. 

—PETER McMILLAN, Honorary Associate, Entomology Department, 

Western Australian Museum. 


The Biology and Burrow of a Salt Lake Wolf Spider, Lycosa salifodina 
McKay.—Recently McKay (1976, Mem. Qd. Mus., 17(3): 417-23) des¬ 
cribed the new species of wolf spider Lycosa salifodina from specimens 
collected by Mr. A. M. Douglas and myself at Lake Lefroy, near 
Widgiemooltha, W.A. The present article gives information (especially 
about the burrows) that is additional to the few notes given with the 
description. The existence of this spider had long been known, e.g., Athol 
Douglas says it had been pointed out to him in the early 1930s by the 
coleopterist, Horace Brown. 

The area worked by Athol Douglas and me was roughly a kilometre 
square. The specimens were collected in January when the surface of 
the salt lake was dry. The larger spiders occurred at about 90 m from the 
shore, the smaller towards the middle of the lake. The spiders were col¬ 
lected at night when they were easy to locate because their shiny eyes 
reflected the beams of our head torches as a white glow. The sample 
collected was found to comprise eight mature females, two mature males, 
and 22 juveniles. The specimens had been collected at random with regard 
to sex, but with a bias towards larger sized individuals. 

Roily McKay has figured the burrow as a simple vertical tube some 
15 cm deep with a distinct rounded ending. However, my field records 
show that the largest burrows extended vertically into the salt for 15 to 
20 cm, whence there extended at right angles a side tunnel for 6.5 cm. 
The main tube then continued obliquely downwards to the underground 
water (about 45 cm deep). Burrow entrances were mostly up to 1.6 cm 
in diameter; the largest was 3.0 cm. Some of the burrows had a small 
amount of very flimsy silk across the width of the burrow at about 1.3 
cm below ground level. 

Every spider was astride the top of the burrow: the third pair of 
legs was positioned at right angles to the body, and all the legs were 
spread wide across the entrance of the burrow. These spiders, especially 
the larger individuals, were very aggressive. The only insects abundant on 
the salt lake were the large green predacious tiger beetles of the genus 
Megacephala. On various occasions, Athol Douglas has dug up the spiders’ 
burrows in random searches for the remains of this beetle, or other pos¬ 
sible prey, but found none. 

—L. E. KOCH, Western Australian Museum. 


204 


Black-cared Cuckoo in the Perth Metropolitan Area.—A Black-eared 
Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx osculans), in perfect feather and condition, was 
brought to the Zoological Gardens, South Perth, on May 16 1976 from 
a house in Yokine where it had been captured after it suffered some 
concussion on flying into a closed window. It was kept in the zoo for a 
few days and then delivered to C. A. Nicholls who tended it for some 
two weeks before its release at Regan’s Ford. 

It has long been held, based on a reference by W. B. Alexander 
(Emu, 20, 1921: 164), that there was one previous record of this species 
from Perth. This provenance is now considered doubtful and the Yokine 
specimen stands as the only certain record from the Perth metropolitan 
area. 

We asked Dr. Glen Storr. of the Western Australian Museum, for 
further particulars of the specimen mentioned by Alexander and he has 
replied as follows: “The specimen of Black-eared Cuckoo that Alexander 
referred to seems no longer to exist. It was presumably the specimen 
registered in the ‘Catalogue of the Museum Perth No. V in 1896 as 
coming from Perth and obtained from one ‘Hcustern’ (that is how I 
decipher it). This old catalogue was basically an index to the specimens 
on display; it was concerned with what showcase the specimen was placed 
in, rather than where, when and by whom it was collected. I therefore 
doubt whether much significance can be attached to the locality ‘Perth’. 
We have searched the correspondence for 1896 but found no reference to a 
Black-eared Cuckoo.” 


— C. A. NICHOLLS, T. SPENCE and A. G. THORPE. 


Acrobatics of the White-tailed Black Cockatoo in hot air pillars.—On 

our property in the Bickley Valley, six km east of Kalamunda, Western 
Australia (116° 06’E; 32°S) some clearing of bushland had taken place 
over the summer of 1975. Burning was used to remove the stacked 
timber over May 1975. On May 8 burning-off of some of the timber 
led to a fire spreading up the inside of a large 15-20 metre Marri (Eucalyp¬ 
tus calophylla) that had been left for its majestic size and beauty. How¬ 
ever the fire formed a vent up the hollow trunk of the tree which because 
of its size continued to burn for several days. 

At this time of the year large and small groups of White-tailed 
Black Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus baudini) move freely through the 
forested areas of the Bickley Valley feeding mainly on the blossoms and 
newly forming nuts of the eucalypts. A group of five or six cockatoos 
found the fire in the gum tree at about 8.30 a.m. on May 9, 1975. The 
weather was cold and cloudy but with little wind. The birds settled in 
the area perched around the rim of the upper hole in the main trunk, 
obviously making use of the warmth. For some time they ruffled their 
feathers and preened themselves. The most interesting activity (by the 
birds) was the use of the hot air pillar above the tree for acrobatics. 
This was most spectacular with the birds flying to the top of the air 
pillar and somersaulting down in full flight with tumbling characteristics 
of the tumbler pigeon. This would be over some distance of 4-5 metres 
and down to the top of the tree vent itself. More than one bird would 
perform at the same time. Furthermore, the birds would also fly in and 
out of the updraft, created by the fire, gliding both up and down the 
air pillar. 

The birds were very noisy and continued in the above activities for 
at least three-quarters of an hour before wandering off through the 
bush to the North East. 

—D. KEAST, Department of Microbiology, 
University of Western Australia. 


205 


Spotted Harrier breeding in the Mukinbudin area.—In October 1975 
a pair of Spotted Harriers (Circus assimilis) were observed nesting on the 
property of Mr. L. E. Waters in the Shire of Mukinbudin. The nest was 
sited on the edge of a belt of mallee next to a cleared paddock which was 
fallow. Bounding on to this paddock is the Barbalin water reserve which 
contains mainly granite outcrops dispersed with low scrub. 

The nest was a large platform of dry twigs with some fresh Eucalyptus 
leaves on top. It was placed 25 feet up in a gimlet mallee (Eucalyptus 
salubris). Unfortunately at this time, after having spent two weeks in the 
district, I was only able to spend an hour observing the nest. Without 
being able to see into the nest I came to the conclusion that the Spotted 
Harriers had young chicks in the nest and that they were feeding. 

This sighting is the closest record of the Spotted Harrier breeding near 
Perth. 


—BOB GOODALE, Safety Bay 


Observation of a Ground Parrot in the Cape Arid National Park.— 

In February 1965 while driving through the Cape Arid reserve, approxi¬ 
mately 100 km cast of Esperancc, we flushed a green parrot from off the 
sand track. It flew low over the heath and plummeted into a small patch 
of mallee. Although I did not have my binoculars I pursued the bird, 
flushing it from its cover several times. Its flight and general colour 
convinced me it was a Ground Parrot (Pezoporus wall tens). 

In November 1975 I returned to the reserve and found most of it 
had been devastated by fire and much of the surrounding country being 
exploited for agriculture. The tracks of vehicles were much more evident. 
Again a parrot was flushed by our vehicle from off the track in similar 
country where we had seen a parrot some ten years before. The parrot 
flew fast and low, plummeting into the heath as would a quail. Several 
times I flushed the bird to find it each time in a different place from 
where it had alighted. The birds obviously run very quickly some distance 
after alighting. All flights were similar, fast and low for about 50 metres. 

The striking barring of the tail feathers was easily seen and I was 
in no doubt that it was indeed a Ground Parrot, and the same as I had 
seen ten years earlier. 

The area where the bird was seen was dry and sandy heathland, which 
had escaped recent burning. We covered many miles on foot looking for 
more birds but without success. However they appear difficult to flush, 
preferring to move quickly over the ground under the protection of 
vegetation. 

—RAY GARSTONE, Woodanilling. 


Notes on a Stranded Pygniy Sperm Whale from Broome.—On April 

16, 1976, a Pygmy Sperm Whale (Kogia breviceps) was washed up on 
Cable Beach, Broome. It was a small (2 metres long) female. Apart 
from a shallow laceration on the snout and scrapings (mainly on the 
ventral surface) there appeared to be no external evidence of injury. An 
interesting feature noted however was that both flippers had been pierced. 
The right flipper had a well-healed 3 cm diameter puncture in the trailing 
edge, whilst the left flipper had been notched by a similar hole that had 
broken the edge. 

Souvenir hunters had removed or broken all but six of the fine, 
recurved teeth of the lower jaw. As with the large Sperm Whale there 
were no teeth in the upper jaw. 


206 


The incoming tide allowed only a hasty internal examination. This 
revealed that the whale had died only hours earlier. Massive haemorrhage 
about the mandibles showed that the lower jaw had been drastically 
fractured while the animal had been alive. This injury may have occurred 
prior to the stranding of the whale or during its subsequent thrashings 
as it stranded. A morbid possibility that should not be overlooked is that 
souvenir hunters had broken the jaw while extracting teeth when the whale 
was alive but unconscious. 

The eyes were large (3 cm in length) in proportion to the total bulk 
of the whale and of a vivid opalescent green—adapted probably for deep 
diving. On the other hand the mouth appeared ridiculously small—the 
length of the lower jaw being less than 10 cm (from the tip of the jaw 
to the corner of the mouth). It is difficult to imagine this type of whale 
catching large squid or fish; possibly it feeds on smaller species that 
school in open water. 

Photographs were taken and the carcass was reclaimed by the 
spring tides which had earlier deposited it on the beach. 

—KIM AKERMAN, Derby, W.A. 


First Australian Record of the Pintail Snipe (Gallinago stenura ).— 
On December 28, 1976 Dr. and Mrs. Alan P. Johnson found a recently 
dead and partly eaten snipe in their garden at Port Hedland on the 
north-west coast of Western Australia. After examining its tail feathers 
they concluded that they had the first Australian specimen of Gallinago 
stenura (Bonaparte). This species is not to be confused with G. megala, 
known as Swinhoes Snipe everywhere outside of Australia and in the 
first edition of the RAOU Checklist, but called the Pin-tailed Snipe in 
the second edition and Chinese Snipe in the third. 

Dr. and Mrs. Johnson kindly donated their specimen to the Western 
Australian Museum (registered number A14652). Its measurements in 
millimetres arc: wing 133, tail 51, bill (total culmen) 69, tarsus 33. It 
has 24 tail feathers, the outer seven on each side being very narrow (the 
outermost have a maximum width of 2.0 mm). 

G. stenura and G. megala are generally regarded as indistinguishable 
in the field. In the hand they are readily separated on characteristics of 
the tail. G. stenura has more tail feathers 24-26 (vs 20-22), including 10 
(rather than 8) wide or normal central rectrices. The outer tail feathers 
are much narrower in stenura than megala; Hartert (Die Vogel tier pafaarc- 
tischen Fauna, vol 2, pp. 1663 -5) gives a width of 1.0- 1.5 mm for the 
outermost rcctrix in stenura. and 2.5 - 4.0 for megala (he is apparently 
measuring towards the tip rather than at the widest part of the feather). 
It is also evident from Hartert’s data that stenura is slightly smaller than 
megala, e.g. wing 129 - 137 (vs 135- 149), tail 48 -52 (53 - 60), bill 58-67 
(61-70). The chestnut band across the central rectrices of the present 
specimen of stenura is darker than in our series of megala , and the 
subterminal band is wider and darker (black rather than grey). 

Gallinago stenura has a more westerly distribution than G. megala. 
It breeds in Siberia and extreme north-eastern Russia and winters in 
north-eastern Africa and southern Asia, eastwards to long. 121 °E (For¬ 
mosa, Celebes and Flores). G. megala breeds in Siberia west to Iona. 81°E 
and winters from eastern India and Sri Lanka eastwards to the Philip¬ 
pines, western Micronesia and the Bismarcks. 

According to Smythies (The Birds of Borneo , p. 210), stenura is 
the commonest snipe in western Borneo, and megala the commonest in 
northern and eastern Borneo, i.e. east of long. 115°E. As this meridian 
passes through the north-west of Western Australia, it is not surprising 


207 


that stenurci has been recorded in the North-west Division but not yet 
in the Kimberley Division (where megalci is a moderately common sum¬ 
mer visitor). Moreover the paucity of swamps in the arid North-west 
Division makes it much less attractive for megala than stenurci. The 
Pintail Snipe, as Smythies observes, is “more typically a bird of grazing 
grounds and grasslands where the ground is not so soft.” 

— G. M. STORR and R. E. JOHNSTONE, 
Western Australian, Museum, Perth. 


Black-headed Gull at Geraldton.—There is a flock of about 60 Silver 
Gulls, Lams novaehollandiae, which regularly visits the grounds of the 
Geraldton Senior High wSchool. While watching these birds alternately 
wheeling over the buildings and resting on the roofs, I noticed among 
them a gull of a different species. The following description was made 
while the gulls remained in the area for about half an hour. Observation 
was at ranges down to about 15 m in good light, but without the aid of 
binoculars. 

Head and upper neck sooty black, sharply abutting the pure white 
lower neck. The white extended down the breast and belly to the tail 
and rump. The back and most of the wings, both upper and lower sur¬ 
faces, were ashy-grey, and decidedly darker that the corresponding silver- 
grey areas of the Silver Gull. A narrow band along the leading and 
trailing edge of the wing, above and below, was white. Near the wing 
tip on the under surface there was a small strip of black, but much less 
extensive than in the Silver Gull, and without the white “mirrors”. The bill 
was dark, probably black, and shorter and stouter than in the Silver Gull. 
The eye had a white iris and there was a conspicuous narrow white ring 
around the eye. The legs were dark, probably black. The bird was clearly 
a little shorter than the Silver Gull, and slightly plumper. In flight its 
wing beat was noticeably faster and stronger. Its general behaviour was 
identical with the Silver Gulls with which it was resting and flying. No 
call was heard. The main features of this description were checked and 
confirmed by Mr. Ray Harwood and Mr. Tony Little of Geraldton, to 
whom I pointed the bird out. Although flocks of gulls were watched 
carefully at the school and for several miles up and down the coast for 
several davs I did not sight it again. 

From W. B. Alexander’s Birds of the Ocean it seems that the gull 
can be identified as an adult Chinese Black-headed Gull, Lartis saundersi , 
in northern summer plumage. It normally inhabits rivers and estuaries in 
eastern Siberia, China, Korea and occasionally Japan and Taiwan. It 
seems that the gull may have arrived in Geraldton as the result of following 
a ship: the harbour is about 1 km from where the bird was seen. The 
Geraldton Port Authority informed me that four ships had entered port in 
the previous five days: one from Yokohama, Japan via Singapore; one 
from the Middle East and two from Australian ports. 

The Chinese Black-headed Gull has not previously been reported in 
Australia. However, on at least two occasions other black-headed gulls 
have been recorded in the south west of Australia. One was made by Mr. 
Timothy Dixon (Emu, 58, 1958: 71) of a bird seen in Bunbury in 1957. 
This was identified as the American species, Franklin’s Gull, Lams pipixean. 
and corroborated by the late W. B. Alexander. The other record is in the 
RAOU Newsletter, No. 27, June 1976, in a report of the W.A. branch of 
the RAOU when Mr. Gerry Nicholls exhibited three photographs of a bird 
seen at Geraldton at the end of March 1976, and which he identified as 
Franklin’s Gull. It is quite possible that the bird seen by Nicholls and by 
me was the same individual. 

—LINDSAY E. SEDGWICK, Geraldton. 


208 


Musk Lorikeets at Alfred Covp _On l 

Naturalists’ Club members watched a fight^beTween 28 ’ ’ 97 | u- 8roup of 
tall eucalypt near the Swan River foreshore et ^® n several birds in a 
fell from a height of thirty or so feet still fiahHn.f ^ C ° Ve ’ Two birds 
flew off. One was a Twenty-eight Parrot ( iantn-T^ When a PProached. 
other a small green lorikeet, clearly not tllfonlv ZO ! u,ri "*> and the 

species, the Purple-crowned Lorikeet (Glossonsitta on™*/ 6 ™ 10 s ? uth ' we stern 
watched two lorikeets entered a hollow spout n R° rp . hyro . ce P l As we 
Gum, Eucalyptus nidis) and shortly afterwards'strn 1 ? (a ? P ld Flooded 
territory from the much larger Twentv-eichts d Th 8 V defended their 
Musk Lorikeets (Glossopsittu concinna) J were identified as 

West, their normal range being south-eastern A? not represented in the 
a male and female in full breeding plumage hrioh?"*' 13 * The birds were 
red and blue facial markings, a bright red 8 bill .,n,V 81 5 en Wldl distinctive 
the breast. They continued to waToff the Twcnt^''^ - the side of 
towards them and calling loudly whenever thev tJ " c| 8hts flying directly 
too closely. y cr approached the hollow 

front colour photographs^takCT^t Cove^°and Vely ide , nti . fied lhc birds 

likely explanation of their presence was as escaoees t - asreed dl at the most 
he pointed out that the possibility of the bird s P havine n fl«t Pt ' V,ty ’ 1 However 
the South-East cannot be ruled out. He has alreadv s .^ loWn u na id etl from 
tion for the Rainbow Lorikeets (Trichoelossus j, advanccd tllls explana- 
Nedlands (W. Amt. Nat., 12 (5) 1973 116 inr ^ f csUlb lished at 
also at Safety Bay. Neither he ^otg cal Ga^" ^ "\ ese now occur 
Society could account for the bird? prfsen Ce "° r lhe Avicllll ural 

of October and Novcmbe^'soon^fterth^frrsrsieht’ 11811 ?^ 1 ’ he months 
another hollow spout a few feet away in the same ?"!?■ tbcy movcd to 
two entrances. In the meantime apair of Z t Sf\! h,s h f ollow having 
nigricans) nested in the original hole The w1f-lrf® rtlns (Pet rochelidon 
their hollow in the evening to roost, flyilgVvSuTfenter 
short whirring wings. The call is a piercing shriek! d JSt dlrect fl ‘ eht on 

At the beginning of 1976 a Club member hnarH . i . 
young birds calling from the hollow Followinothiv hat may havc bcen 
22, 1976 (by which lime the plS™ of W Sf SuIuVh n arch 15 and 
less colourful) three birds were seen to enter and it had become much 
being markedly duller than the other two n anne VC "j 0 hollow - 
that this represents the first recorded breeding ? of the^M \ S ? Cni a likeIy 
Western Australia. ® °* Musk Lorikeet in 

—BRUCE CORFE, Cairns. 


Breeding Records of the Grey Honeycntcr.—On October 27, 1975, 
in the Yalgoo district, B.A.W. found “a small nest of frail structure, 
attached to the extremity of a horizontal branch of a narrow leaved 
mulga, about 8 feet from the ground” (cf. Scrvcnty & Whittell, Birds of 
Western Australia , 4th edn., 1967, p. 380, on the Grey Honeyeater, Lacus- 
troica whitci). The nest was completely filled by one well advanced nestling, 
the most obvious feature of which was a golden ring around the eye, cor¬ 
responding to the similar feature of the Western Silvereye (Zosterops later¬ 
alis gouldi). 

The nestling was being fed by two small greyish unattractive birds 
which lacked any interesting or remarkable coloration except for whitish 
underbody. However when we approached the nest, the birds fluttered to 
the nearest tree with an aerial display of white feathers, seemingly intended 
to distract our attention from the nestling. 


209 


The birds were seen to feed in association with Yellow-tailed Thorn- 
bills (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa) and Western warblers (Gerygone fusca). In 
this general company they were easily overlooked. However, their frequent 
calls were strikingly similar to that of the Western Silvereye. 

At the time we failed to recognise the species, but later, the identifi¬ 
cation as Grey honeyeater was quite obvious. 

On November 20, 1975, A.G.W. found another nest with two eggs, 
approximately one kilometre from the site of the earlier observation. It 
was just over one metre from the ground, attached to the extremity of 
a horizontal branch of curara (Acacia tetragonophylla). Both exterior and 
interior aspects of the nests were loosely lined with the white woolly 
globules of bindi eye (Bassia spp.). The eggs were white with reddish-brown 
markings, and both parents shared the incubation. 

During the following week in this locality, we observed other Grey 
Honeyeaters daily, estimating five pairs in a radius of about one kilometre. 
Their calls became a familiar sound in the vicinity of our camp. We 
gained the impression that they were not uncommon, at least in this area, 
and at that particular time. 

Photographs taken at the first nest revealed the slightly down-turned 
beak of the parents, and also a faint whitish ring around the eye. Neither 
of these two features was distinguishable to us when using binoculars. 
Although the birds were seen to carry insects to the nestling, the only 
food recorded in the photographs appeared to be fruits of a mistletoe, 
and arc shown as being reddish in colour with black markings. 

In general profile, the birds were most unlike other honeyeaters. In 
fact a bird observer on first encountering the species would not seek its 
identification in the honeyeater section of a field guide! 

On August 1, 1976 we camped at the entrance to a valley at the 
western end of the Hamersley Range, 3 km along an HEX track off the 
Paraburdoo-Nanutarra road. A pair of Grey Honeyeaters was observed 
by B.A.W. at close range in a stand of mulga. The birds were seen to 
copulate twice. Their characteristic call was not heard. 

On October 10, 1976 we re-visited the same locality in the Yalgoo 
district referred to in the opening paragraph of this note. We parked our 
vehicle about 1 km from our previous campsite, and within a few minutes 
we both observed a pair of Grey Honeyeaters feeding a well advanced 
fledgling. No other fledgling was seen. We were at less than 10 metres 
range and watched the group for some ten minutes as it moved through 
several mulga trees. 

On the following morning, in separate but adjacent localities, each 
of us observed a lone adult Grey Honeyeater, foraging in company with 
Yellow-rumped Thornhills mainly in curara bushes and mulga trees. 

In all of the above instances identification was positive. We were 
easily able to note the main characteristics of the species, namely grey 
upper parts and head, whitish underparts, with a distinct whitish eye 
ring. The beak had a slight down turn. In flight there was a prominent 
display of white feathers. 

On the latter two occasions the characteristic call, resembling that of 
the common Western Silvereye was clearly heard in fact it was the call 
which attracted our attention. 

It was worth noting that this area had suffered severely from the 
prevailing drought. Mulga trees and curara bushes, which formed the 
main vegetation, appeared to have shed about 50% of their leaves. Grasses 
and small plants were almost non-existent. It therefore seemed remarkable 
that in spite of these adverse conditions which followed a good rainfall 
season in 1975, we were able so easily to find again this small and 
insignificant honeyeater, and that during our brief visit to Yalgoo, it was 
the only species of bird of which we saw evidence of breeding. 

—A. G. and B. A. WELLS, Scarborough. 


210 


EXCURSION 

VVHICHER RANGE—DONNYBROOK SUNKLANDS 

On October 9-11, 1976, a party of 15 Naturalists’ Club members and 
four guests visited the Donnybrook Sunklands in order to expand on the 
survey work previously published by the Forests Department of Western 
Australia m its report, Afforestation with Pines in the Donnybrook Sunk¬ 
lands—Statement of Intent , September 1975. Specifically the'party wished 
to consider the suitability of the boundaries proposed for the Whicher 
Range Reserve. 

In its Statement of Intent the Department divided up the Sunklands 
area (Stale Forest No. 33) into three categories—reservations, proposed 
pine plantation cells and native hardwood areas. An account of this future 
management scheme of the Sunklands, with a map and colour illustrations, 
was given in the Department’s periodical Forest Focus, No. 16, December 
1975, 15 pp., which is, perhaps, more generally available than the State¬ 
ment istelf. 

The proposed pine areas had been selected following soil and site 
surveys and consist mainly of the deep sandy soil preferred for pine plant¬ 
ing. 1 he area retained as native hardwood forest will be managed by normal 
forestry techniques, including prescribed burning. The “reservations” in¬ 
clude areas set aside primarily for recreation or for biological purposes. 
One of these is the Whicher Range, selected to preserve a major occur¬ 
rence of the Mountain Marri (Eucalyptus haematoxylon). 

Previously, in 1974. the Conservation Through Reserves Committee 
recommended that a fairly substantial area of the Whicher Range be 
declared a Class A Reserve for the conservation of flora and fauna, to be 
vested in the W.A. Wildlife Authority (see Fig. 1). The Forests Department 
in its Statement of Intent designated a rather smaller area as a Forest 
Reserve for Recreation, Catchment and Flora. Finally Cabinet accepted 
the recommendation made by the Environmental Protection Authority in 
1976 to make the area a “Forest Park”, primarily for recreation and 
for flora and fauna conservation, under the control of the Conservator of 
Forests. 


Method of survey: 

The birds were recorded during walks into the centre of the Whicher 
block, along the Sabina River, and at various places along Sabina, Jal- 
baragup and Hill Roads (within the Whicher Range Reserve in the morn¬ 
ing, and “elsewhere” in the afternoon). An attempt was made to survey 
the flora on a systematic grid basis. Groups of people drove to different 
areas, then collected all species around their stopping places for 15 minutes. 
A comparison of the different collections should give an overall picture 
of the flora. Unfortunately the grid system proved not as complete as hoped, 
for members found the amount of work involved, in the time available, 
rather daunting. Nevertheless the results did not lack interest. 

Results: 

Birds (Appendix I). The results can scarcely be considered as having 
any real significance. But the species recorded may suggest which are the 
conspicuous birds of the area. Furthermore, as three of the 37 species 
noted, namely the Red-tipped Pardalote, the Horsfield Bronze Cuckoo 
and the Hooded Robin, had been overlooked in the surveys of the Forests 
Department (as recorded in the appendices of the Statement of Intent) it 
may be assumed that the avifauna of the Reserve may prove to be fairly 
considerable when adequate surveys are made. The low number of species 
noted outside of the designated Reserve area may be due to the fact that 
the walks were made in the afternoon. 

Plants (Appendix II). A total of 200 species were collected, 71 of 
which had not been recorded in the Statement of Intent. Of this total 78% 
occur within the Whicher Range Reserve. The most important of those 


211 



/ 


i 


KM 

0 1 2 3 4 5 

MLS 

0_1_2_ 3_ 4 _ 5 



Origin.il CTRC recommendation 1974 



Forests Dept. Statement of Intent 1975 



EPA recommendation to Cabinet 1976 


Fig. 1.—Map of Whicher Range Area 
(redrawn from Conservation Through Reserves Committee Report , 1974) 


212 











that ilo not occur within the reserve are associated with 

Stir mgia latifolia which had not been previously recorded C ' B ' 

and isolated populations of Xyris sp„ and D^ p % 0 Th ooke H 

The Whichcr Range also has a number of nlanK thu. <u 
distributions, e.g. Dryandra fonnosa and cLwsnm! ,, ! &how unusual 
are more common further east, and on the northern whlch 

tively. In addition the Range has a number of sandheaths, respec- 

Grevillea brachystylis, Synaphea favosa and a f largeT owereTn 5 ,n ?H K,ln e 
In fact all three Danvinia spp. found were of interest as D^ZT' 1 ' 0 SP i 
D. vestita are atypical variants. The Synaphea population i m “ and 

mediate characteristics and may prove to contain^ n!?.? °- shc T s inter - 

flowered Andersonia and a Calofhamnas found near the SabinT'ir Wh ', te " 
appear to be undescribed species. lne bablnd K 'ver also 

CONCLUSIONS 

The Whicher Range is an important and significant area and <ha„i i 
remain reserved for flora and fauna conservation Elsewhere donn h 
northern section of the Sunklands there is little of natural sife 
except for the Margaret River swamps. If pine planting'should ttke dI™ 
m that region care should be taken to avoid disruption of the swamps 
cither by direct disturbance or by increasing erosion and so turbidity of 
the water and siltation of the swampland. 

ACKNOWLEDG EM ENTS 

I thank the staff of the Western Australian Herbarium for their 
assistance with the identification of specimens. 


APPENDIX I 


BIRDS 

(Recorded by Arthur Fewster, John Hutchinson and M. T. Millard) 

noted within EPA 
Whicher Range reserve 


Wedge-tailed Eagle x 

White-tailed Black Cockatoo x 

Red-capped Parrot x 

Twenty-eight Parrot x 

Elegant Parrot x 

Fan-tailed Cuckoo x 

Kookaburra x 

Sacred Kingfisher x 

Bee-eater x 

Tree-Martin x 

Splendid Wren x 

Red-winged Wren x 

Western Warbler x 

Broad-tailed Thornbill x 

Spotted Scrub-Wren x 

Weebill x 

Scarlet Robin x 

Yellow Robin x 

White-breasted Robin x 

Grey Fantail x 

Willy Wagtail x 

Golden Whistler x 

Western Shrike-Thrush x 

Spotted Pardalote x 

White-naped Honeyeater x 

Spinebill x 

Little Wattle-bird x 

Squeaker x 

Western Magpie x 

Raven x 

Dusky Wood-swallow x 

Rufous Tree-creeper x 

Pallid Cuckoo x 

New Holland Honeyeater x 

* Red-tipped Pardalote x 

* Horsfield Cuckoo x 

* Hooded Robin (female) x 


noted 

elsewhere 


x 


x 


x 


x 


x 


x 


* denotes birds not previously recorded in the Statement of Intent as occurring in the area. 


213 


APPENDIX II 
PLANTS 

(In this list of plants collected the nomenclature follows West Australian Plants, ed. J. S. 

Beard, 2nd edn., 1970) 

Name collected within EPA collected outside EPA 

Whicher Range Reserve Whicher Range Reserve 

GYMNOSPERMAE 

CYCADACEAE 

Macrozamia reidlei, Zamia x x 

PODOCARPACEAE 

Podocarpus drouynianus, Native plum x x 

ANGIOSPERMAE— MONOCOTYLEDONEAE 
CYPERACEAE 

Lepidosperma angustatum x x 

Mesomolaena tetragona x x 

RESTIONACEAE 

Loxocarya flexuosa x x 

XYRIDACEAE 

* Xyris sp. x 

LILIACEAE 

* Burchardia umbellate. Milkmaids x x 

Johnsonia lupulina, Hooded lily x x 

Thysanotus multiflorus, Fringe lily x 

* T. thrysofdeus, Fringe lily x 

XANTHORRHOEACEAE 

Dasypogon bromeliifolius x x 

D. hookeri x x 

Kingia australis, Black gin x 

Lomandra sp. x 

Xanthorrhoea gracilis, Blackboy x 

X. preissii, Blackbov x 

HAEMODORACEAE 

Conostylis spo. x x 

IRIDACEAE 

* Orthrosanthus laxus. Morning iris x 

Patersonia occidemalis x x 

P. umbrosa x 

P. xanthina, Yellow flag x x 

ORCHIDACEAE 

* Caladenia deformis, Blue fairy orchid x x 

* C. dilatata. Green spider orchid x 

* C. flava, Cowslip orchid x 

* C. latifolia, Pink fairy orchid x 

" C. patersonii, White spider orchid x 

* C. nana. Pink fan orchid x 

* Diuris purdiei, Donkey orchid x 

* Elythranthera brunonis, Purple enamel orchid x 

* E. emarginata, Pink enamel orchid x 

* Lyperanthus nigricans, Elephant's tongues x 

* L. serratus. Rattle Beak orchid x 

* Pterostylis recurva, Jug orchid x 

* P. vittata, Greenhcod orchid x 

* Thelymitra antennifera, Lemon orchid x 

* T. crinata. Blue lady orchid x 

ANGIOSPERMAE—DICOTYLEDONEAE 
CASUARINACEAE 

Casuarina drummcndiana x 

C. Iraseriana, Sheoak x 

C. humllis. Dwarf sheoak x 

PROTEACEAE 

Adenanthos barbigera, Stlck-in-jug x x 

A. meissneri x x 

A. obovata. Stick-in-jug x x 

Banksia attenuata. Candlestick Banksia x x 

B. grandls, Bull Banksia x x 

B. ilicifolia. Holly leaved Banksia x 

B. sphaerocarpa, Round fruited Banksia x x 

Conospermum acerosum. Needle-leaved Smokebush x 

C. caeruleum x 

C. flexuosum x x 

C. teretifolium x 

Dryandra bipinnatifida x 

* D. formosa x 

D. nivea, Shaving-brush Dryandra x x 

Grevillea brachystylis x 

* G. leptobotrya x x 

G. manglesioides x 

G. quercitolla x x 

Hakea amblgua x 

* H. amplexicaulis. Prickly Hakea x x 

H. ceratophylla, Horned-leaf Hakea x 

H. cyclocarpa. Curved-fruit Hakea x 

H. lasiantha, Woolly-flowered Hakea x 

H. ruscifolia, Candle Hakea x x 


214 


Isopogon sphaerocephalus, Drumsticks x x 

Persoonia elliptica, Snooty-goggle x x 

P. longifolia . Red Paperbark x x 

Petrophile diversifolia x x 

P. linearis x x 

P. serruriae x x 

P. squamata x 

* P. striata x 

Stirlingia latifolia, Bluebush x x 

* S. teretifolia x 

Synaphea favosa x 

* S. petiolaris x x 

S. preissii x x 

* S. sp. nov. x 

Xylomelum occidental, Forest pear x x 

SANTALACEAE 

* Loptomeria cunninghamii x 

LORANTHACEAE 

Nuytsia floribunda, W.A. Christmas tree x x 

RANUNCULACEAE 

* Clematis aristata, Traveller’s Joy x 

DROSERACEAE 

' Drosera gigantea, Giant sundew x 

* D. spp. x 

PITTOSPORACEAE 

* Billardiera variifolia x 

* Marianthus candidus x 

MIMOSACEAE 

Acacia alata x x 

A. divergens x 

A. drummondii x 

A. ? extensa x 

A. gilbertii x 

A. pulchella, Prickly Moses x x 

CAESALPINIACEAE 

Labichoa punctata x 

FABACEAE 

Aotus villosa x 

Bossiaea omata x 

* Chorizema diversifolium, Twining flame-pea x 

Daviesia alternifolia x 

* D. polyphylla x 

* D. cordata, Book-leaf bitter-pea x x 

D. quadrilatera x 

Dillwynia uncinata, Silky parrot-pea x 

Gompholobium burtonioides x 

* G. knightianum x x 

G. ovatum x x 

* G. tomentosum x 

G. venustum, Handsome Wedge-pea x 

Hovea elliptica x x 

H. trisperma x x 

Kennedia coccinea, Coral vine x x 

K. stirlingii x 

* Melllotus indica, Melilot x 

Mirbelia dilatata x 

Pultenaea andrewsii x 

Sphaerolobium macrantnum x x 

* S. medium x 

* S. racemulosum x 

* S. vimineum x 

RUTACEAE 

Boron ia ere nu lata x 

* 8. spathulata x x 

* B. ? ternata x 

Crowea angustifolia x x 

Eriostemon splcatus, Pepper and salt x x 

TREMANDRACEAE 

* Platy theca vert id I lata x x 

Tetratheca setfgera x x 

POLYGALACEAE 

* Comesperma scoparlum, Broom milkwort x 

C. virgatum x 

* C. volubile. Love creeper x 

EUPHORBIACEAE 

* Phyllanthus calycinus. False Boronia x 

* Poranthera sp. x x 

STACKHOUSIACEAE 

* Stackhousia brunonis x 

S. huegelii x x 

RHAMNACEAE 

Trymalium ledlfolium x 

STERCULIACEAE 

* Lasiopetalum acutlflorum x 

Thomasia grandiflora x x 


215 


DILLENIACEAE 

* Hibbertia lasiopus x 

H. hypericoides x x 

H. perfoliata x x 

H. vaglnata x 

H. sp. nov. x x 

VIOLACEAE 

Hybanthus floribundus x 

THYMELAEACEAE 

Pimelea rosea, Pink Banjine x x 

P. spectabills x x 

P. suaveolens x 

MYRTACEAE 

Agon is parviceps x x 

Beaufortia sparsa x 

* Calothamnus gracilis x 

C. sanguineus, One-sided Bottlebrush x x 

* C. sp. nov. x 

' Calytrix flavescens, Yellow star-flower x 

C. variabilis x 

* Darwinia citriodora. Lomon-scented myrtle x 

D. vestita x 

D. sp. nov. x 

Eucalyptus calophylla, Marri x x 

£. haematoxylon, Mountain Marri x x 

E. marginata, Jarrah x x 

Hypocalymma angustifolium, White myrtle x x 

H. robustum, Swan River myrtle x 

Kunzea recurve x x 

Leptospermum ellipticum x x 

L. firmum x 

Melaleuca sp. x x 

HALORAGACEAE 

Glischrocaryon aureum, Pop flower x x 

APIACEAE 

Platysace compressa x 

* P. tenuissima x 

* Trachymene pilosa x 

EPACRIDACEAE 

Andersonia caerulea x x 

A. longifolia x 

A. sp. nov. x 

Astroloma epacris x 

Conostephium pendulum, Pearl flower x x 

Leucopogon australis x x 

L. parvitlorus x 

L. verticillatus, Tassel shrub x x 

L. sp. x 

Lysinema ciliatum, Curry plant x 

Sphenotoma capitatum x 

LOGANIACEAE 

* Logania campanulata x 

Mitrasacme paradox a x 

DICRASTYLIDACEAE 

Pityrodia bartlingil, Woolly dragon x 

LENTIBULARIACEAE 

* Polypompholyx multifida x 

LOBELIACEAE 

* Lobelia sp. x 

GOODENIACEAE 

Dampiera cuneata x x 

0. sacculata x 

Goodenia caerulea x 

Leschenaultia biloba, Blue Leschenaultia x x 

Scaevola striata x 

Velleia trinervls x 

STYLIDIACEAE 

* Levenhookia pusilla. Midget Stylewort x 

* Stylidium caespitosum x 

* S. calcaratum, Ballerina triggerplant x x 

* S. sp. aff. dichotomum x 

* S. glaucum x 

* S. repens x 

S. scandens, Climbing triggerplant x 

* S. schoenides, Cowkicko x x 

ASTERACEAE 

' Craspedia unltlora, Billy buttons x 

* Cryptostemma caligula, Capeweed x 

Helichrysum bractoatum x x 

* Hypochoerls radicata, Flatweed x 

Lagenophora stlpltata :c 

* denotes plant not included in Appendix II. List of Plant Species, in Forests Department 

Statement of Intent, 1975. 

—B. M. J. HUSSEY 


216 


INDEX 


GENERAL 

Avon R. 97 

Barrow 1., fauna . 78 

Barrow 1., reptiles . 125 

Bedout I., birds . 189, 191 

Bernier I., mammals . 149 

Butler’s Swamp, waterfowl 34 
Causeway Marshes, birds .... 1 

Corrections . 124 

Dirk Hartog 1., fauna and 

flora. 19 

Donnybrook Sunklands 211 

Eclipse I., birds, reptiles 136 

Eucla, flora . 14 

Gibb Rock, birds . 7 

Hunt's Dam, flora . 44 

Lake Claremont, waterfowl 34 

Miss North’s Tree . 29 

National Parks, biological 

surveys .... . 90 

North Turtle 1., birds . 193 

Obituary — Bruce Shipway 68 
Peel Inlet, eutrophication 172 
Phosphate, Avian-derived 24 

Urea . 85 

Whicher Range . 211 

Yundurup, Culeenup 1., birds 25 
Yundurup, Pelican breeding 67 

ANTHROPOLOGY 

Ejah Breakaways 177 

Occupation sites—Dixon I., 92; 
Paraburdoo, 37; Perth, 88; Wil- 
gia Mia cave 85 

MAMMALS 

Bettongia lesueur . 78, 154 

Capra hircus 154, 180, 182 

Dugong clugon 78 

Eptesicus pumilus . 85 

Fells cat ns . 20, 169 

Isoodon auratus barrowensis 135 

Kogia breviceps .... . 206 

Lagorchestes hirsutus 153, 154 

Lagostrophus fasciatus . 153 

Macrodernui gigas . 85 

Macropus juliginosus . 91 

Macropus robust us 169, 180, 182 

M. r. isabellinus . 135 

Megaleia rufa 169 

Mus museulus . 169 

Myremecobius fasciatus 32, 124 

Neophoca cinerea . 136 

Nyctophilus gcoffroyi 169 

Oryctolagus cuniculus . 


Ovis aries 182 

Perameles bougainville 153 

Physeter catodon 79 

Platiigale . 78 

Pseudomys albocincreus .... 


91, 149, 153 


P. hermansburgensis 20, 169 

P. praeconis . 149, 150, 151 

Sminthopsis longicaudata 144 

Sousa plumbea . 79 

Stenella . 79 

Steno bredanensis . 79 

Tachyglossus aculeatus .... 91, 169 

Taphozous georgianus . 85 

Tarsipes spencerae . 91 

Vulpes vulpes . 169 


BIRDS 

Acanthagenys rufogularis 168, 195 

Acanthiza apicalis . 

12, 25, 26, 27, 159, 167, 213 


A. chrysorrhoa . 12, 26, 27 

A. iredalei . 169 

A. lineatus . 27 

A. mum . 27 

A. pusilla . 27 

A. uropygialis . 12, 167 

A canthorhynchus superciliosus 

48, 159, 213 
Accipiter cirrocephalus .... 9, 164 

A. fasciatus . 140, 164 

A. novaehollandiae . 195 

Acrocephalus stentoreus 35, 159 

Aegotheles cristatus . 166 

Albatross, Black-browed 141 

Albatross, Shy . 141, 203 

Albatross, Wandering 141 

Albatross, White-capped, 141, 203 
Albatross, Yellow-nosed 141 

Amytornis textilis . ... 22 

Anas gibberifrons 5, 8, 35, 79, 163 
A. rhynchotis 163 

A. superciliosa . 5, 35 

A nous stolidus 190, 192 

Anthochaera carunculata 14 

A. chrysoptera .... .... 48, 156, 213 


Anthus australis . 

6, 11, 22, 141, 159, 166, 194 

A. novaeseelandiae . 

6, 11, 22, 141, 159, 166, 194 


Aphelocepluda leucopsis 167 

A. nigricincta . 167 

Aptenodytes patagonica 146 

A pus pad ficus . 80 

Aquila audax 9, 20, 164, 213 

Ardea novaehollandiae . 

. 5, 8, 143, 159, 163 

A. pacijica . 5, 163 

Arenaria inter pres .... 21, 80, 197 
A rtamus cine reus 14, 23, 168 

A. cyanopterus . 213 

A. leucorhynchus 168 

A. minor 63, 65, 174 

A. personatus . 168 

A. superciliosus . 168 

Atrichornis clamosus 119, 159 

A. rufescens . 120 


217 
















Avocet . 6, 95, 165 

Ay thy a australis . 35 

Babbler, Grey-crowned .... 167 

Babbler, White-browed 12, 167 
Barnardius zonarius 

11, 165, 195, 209, 213 
Bee-eater, Australian, 11, 146, 213 
Bell-bird, Crested 13, 22, 167 
Bittern, Little 35 

Booby, Brown 79, 189, 191 

Booby, Masked 189, 191 

Bristle-bird 159 

Bronzewing, Common, 10, 22, 165 
Budgerygah 80, 165 

Burkinas magnirostris 10, 22 
Bushlark, Singing 166, 174 

Bustard, Australian 

. 9, 21, 65, 79, 124, 164 

Butcher-bird, Black-throated 

. 14, 169, 174 

Butcher-bird, Grey 

. 14, 23, 159, 168, 195 

Butcher-bird, Pied 14, 169, 174 

Cacatua leadbeateri 195 

C. roseicapilla 10, 165, 173 

C. sanguinea 165, 173 

Cacomantis pyrrophanus, 11, 213 
Calamanthus fuliginosus .... 

. 12, 22, 123, 167 

Calyptorhvnchus banksi 10 

C. banditti 10, 171, 205, 213 
Certhionyx variegatus 145, 168 

Catharacta lonnbergi . 143 

Charadrius melanops .... 6, 61, 165 
C. ruficapillus 6, 21, 80, 123 

C. veredus . 80 

Chat, Crimson 12, 168 

Chat, White-fronted 7, 12 

Chenonetta jubata 8, 79, 163 

Cheramoeca leucosternum, 11, 166 
Chlidonias hybrida 165 

C. nigra .... 61 

Chrysococcyx basalis, 11, 166, 213 
C. osculans 65, 166, 205 

C. plagosus . 26 

Cinclorhamphus cruralis, 6, 12, 167 

C. mathewsi . 167 

Cinclosoma cinnamomeum 167 

C. sp. 167 

Circus approxinmns 5, 143, 164 
C. assitnilis 9, 164, 206 

Cladorhynchus leucocephalus 

.. . 90, 1 14 

Climacteris affinis 167 

C. melanura 168 

C. rufa . 27, 213 

Cockatiel 61, 165 

Cockatoo, Major Mitchell 195 
Cockatoo, Red-tailed Black 10 
Cockatoo, White-tailed Black 

10, 171, 205, 213 
Colluricincla rufiventris .... 

. 13, 25, 26, 27, 167, 213 

C. woodwardi . 195 


Columba livia . 136, 165 

Coot . 5, 35, 164 

Coracina novaehollandiae . 

. 12, 25, 166 

Corella, Little . 165, 173 

Cormorant, Black 4 

Cormorant, Little Black 4 

Cormorant, Little Pied 5, 35 
Cormorant, Pied 


Corvus bennetti 14, 23, 169 

C. coronoides 1, 14, 159, 213 

C. orru . 169 

Coturnix pectoralis 9, 124 

Cracticus nigrogularis, 14, 169, 174 

C. torquatus, 14, 23, 159, 168, 195 

Crake, Spotless . 143 

Crow, Australian 169 

Crow, Little 14, 23, 169 

Cuckoo, Black-eared, 65, 166, 205 

Cuckoo, Fan-tailed . 11, 213 

Cuckoo, Golden Bronze 26 

Cuckoo, Horsfield Bronze 

. 11, 146, 213 

Cuckoo, Narrow-billed Bronze 

. 11, 146, 213 

Cuckoo, Pallid 

11, 24, 26, 27, 165, 213 
Cuckoo-Shrike, Black-faced 

. 12, 25, 166 

Cuckoo-Shrike, Ground 166 

Cuculus pallidas . 

1 1, 24, 26, 27, 165, 213 

Curlew, Eastern 6, 21, 194 

Currawong, Grey 14 

Cygnus at rat us .5, 35, 79 

Dacelo gigas ... 65, 141, 159, 213 

D. leachii 166 

Daption capense . 142 

Dasyornis brachypterus 159 

Diamond-bird, Red-tipped 

13, 26, 27, 168, 213 
Diamond-bird, Spotted, 176, 213 
Diamond-bird, Striated 

. 13, 26, 27, 168, 213 

Dicaeum hirundinaceum 168 

Diomedea cauta . 141, 203 

D. chlororhynchos 141 

D. ex a Ians 141 

D. melanophris 141 

Diving-Petrel, Kerguelen 145 
Dotterel, Australian, 10, 21, 165 
Dotterel, Black-fronted, 6, 61, 165 

Dotterel, Oriental . 80 

Dotterel, Red-capped, . 

. 6, 21, 80, 123 

Dotterel, Red-kneed 165 

Dove, Bar-shouldered 80 

Dove, Diamond 165 

Dove, Peaceful 165 

Drotnaius novaehollandiae 

8, 29, 91, 163 
Dry modes brunneopygia 12 

Duck, Black . 5, 35 


218 











Duck, Blue-billed . 35 

Duck, Khaki Campbell .... 5 

Duck, Mountain, 5, 8, 123, 197 
Duck, Muscovy 35 

Duck, Pink-eared 35, 163 

Duck, White-eyed . 35 

Eagle, Little 9, 21, 164 

Eagle, Red-backed Sea- 164 
Eagle, Wedge-tailed . 

. 9, 20, 164. 213 

Eagle, Whistling 118, 164 

Eagle, White-breasted Sea- 

21, 143, 194 

Egret, Little . 62 

Egret, White 5 

Egret ta alba . 5 

E. garzetta . 62 

E. sacra . 20, 79 

Elanus natatus 5, 9 

Emu . 8, 29, 91, 163 

Emu-Wren, Southern 22, 159 

Eopsaltria georgiana 159, 213 

E. griseogularis . 13, 213 

Ephthianura albifrons 7, 12 

E. tricolor 12, 168 

Eremiornis carteri 80 

Erolia acuminata . 6 

E. ferruginea 6 

E. ruficollis . 6 

Erythrogonys cinctus 165 

Eudyptula minor 137, 196 

Eupbdotis australis 

. 9, 21, 65, 79, 124, 164 

Eurostopodus gut tat us ... 11, 166 

Falco berigora 5, 9, 143, 164 

F. cenchroides . 

5, 9, 21, 79, 126, 140, 164, 192 

F. longipennis 5, 9, 164 

Falcon, Brown 5, 9, 143, 164 
Falcon, Little 5, 9, 164 

Fantail, Grey . 

13, 25, 26, 27, 159, 167, 213 
Field-Wren 12, 22, 123, 167 

Finch, Painted . 64, 80 

Finch, Star 168 

Finch, Zebra .... 23, 168 

Firetail, Red-eared 159 

Flycatcher, Brown 12 

Fregata ariel 190, 191, 194 

Frigate-bird, Lesser, 190, 191, 194 
Frogmouth, Tawny, 11, 166, 195 
Fulica ana 5, 35, 164 

Galah 10, 165, 173 

Gallinago stenura . 207 

Gallinula tenebrosa 35, 174 

G. ventralis 164 

Gannet, Australian 142 

Gannet, Brown 79, 189, 191 

Gannet, Masked . 189, 191 

Geopelia cuncata 165 

G. humeralis . 80 

G. striata 165 

Gerygonc fusca 12, 26, 167, 213 
G. magnirostris . 195 


G. tenebrosa . 169 

Geophaps smithi . 195 

Gliciphila melanops ... 14, 48, 49 
Glossopsitta concinna 209 

G. porphyrocephala 10, 209 

Godwit, Bar-tailed . 6, 21, 80 

Goose, Maned 8, 79, 163 

Goshawk, Australian 140, 164 

Goshawk, Brown 140, 164 

Goshawk, White . 195 

Grallina cyanoleuca 14, 168 

Grass-bird, Little . 6, 159 

Grass-Wren, Western 22 

Grebe, Crested . 35 

Grebe, Hoary-headed, 4, 8, 35, 163 
Grebe, Little .... 8, 35, 79, 163 
Greenshank 6, 80 

Ground-Wren, Shy 12 

Gull, Black-headed 208 

Gull, Franklin’s 208 

Gull, Pacific 22, 143, 197 

Gull, Silver . 6, 22, 

35, 66, 80, 141, 159, 197, 208 

Gymnorhina dorsalis . 

. 14, 66, 169, 213 

G. tibicen . 169 

Haematopus fuliginosus 

. 21, 140, 159 

H. ostralegus . 21, 80 

Halcyon chloris 194 

H. pyrrhopygia 166 

//. sanctus 143, 166, 213 

Haliaeetus leucogaster 21, 143, 194 
Haliastur indus 164 

//. sphenurus 118, 164 

Harrier, Spotted 9, 164, 206 
Harrier, Swamp .... 5, 143, 164 
Hawk, Brown 5, 9, 143, 164 
Heron, Pacific 5, 163 

Heron, Reef . 20, 79 

Heron, White-faced . 

. 5, 8, 143, 159, 163 

Heron, White-necked 5, 163 


Hieraeatus morphnoides 

.9, 21, 164 

Himantopus himantopus . 

. 6, 10, 22, 165 

Hirundo neoxena . 6, 11, 

22, 26, 27, 80, 141, 159, 166 
Histriophaps histrionica 195 

Honeyeater, Brown. 

13, 26, 27, 28, 48, 156 
Honeyeater, Brown-headed 13 
Honeyeater, New Holland 

. 26, 27, 28, 65, 159, 213 

Honeyeater, Pied 145, 168 

Honeyeater, Purple-gaped 13 
Honeyeater, Singing 

. 13, 23, 80, 168 

Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked 

168, 195 

Honeyeater, Grey 209 

Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned 

. 14, 48, 49 


219 













Honeyeater, White-cheeked 156 M. ornata 13 

Honeyeater, White-eared .... 13 M. penicillata 168 

Honeyeater, White-fronted M. virescens .... 13, 23, 80, 168 

. 14, 168 Melithreptus brevirostris .... 13 

Honeyeater, Whitc-naped 213 M. lunatus 213 

Honeyeater, White-plumed 168 Melopsittacus undulatus, 80, 165 

Honeyeater, Yellow-plumed 13 Merops ornatus 11, 166, 213 
Hydrophasianus chirurgus .... 60 Microeca leucophaea 12 

Hydroprognc caspia MUvus migrant 164 

'. 6, 22, 194, 197, 199 Miner, Dusky . 14, 168 

Hylacola cauta 12 Miner, Yellow-throated 14, 168 

Ibis, Straw-necked 5, 163 Mirafra javanica 166, 174 

Ixobrychus minutus 35 Mistletoe-bird 168 

Jacana, Pheasant-tailed 60 Moorhen, Dusky 35, 174 

Kestrel, Nankeen Morus serrttior 142 

5, 9, 21, 79, 126, 140, 164, 192 Motacillci alba . 64 

Kingfisher, Mangrove 194 Native-Hen, Black-tailed, 143, 164 

Kingfisher, Red-backed .... 166 Neoclunia ntficauda 168 

Kingfisher, Sacred, 143, 166, 213 Neophema bourkii 165 

Kite, Black-shouldered 5, 9 N. elegans 11, 165, 213 

Kite, Fork-tailed 164 N. pctrophila 141, 159 

Kite, Square-tailed 164 Neositta pileata 27, 167 

Kite, Whistling 118, 164 Nightjar, Spotted 11, 166 

Kookaburra, Blue-winged 166 Ninox 85 

Kookaburra, Laughing N. boobook 11, 166 

65, 141, 159, 213 N. connivens 11, 166 

Lacustroica whitei 209 N. novaeseelandiae 11, 166 

Lalage sueurii 166, 203 Noddy, Common 190, 192 

Laras novaehollandiae . 6, 22, Nameniits nutdagascuriensis 

35, 66, 80, 141, 159, 197, 208 . 6, 21, 194 

L. pacijicus 22, 143, 197 N. minutus 6 

L. pipixean 208 Nymphicus hollandicus 61, 165 

L. saandersi . 208 Oceanodroma matsudeirae 192 

Leipoa ocellata 9 Ocyphaps lophotes 10, 65, 165 

Lichmera indistincta Oreoica gutturalis 13, 22, 167 

. 13, 26, 27, 28, 48, 156 Osprey 21, 79, 143, 197 

Limosa lapponica .... 6, 21, 80 Owl 85 

Lophoictinia isura 164 Owl, Barking 11, 166 

Lophophaps ferruginea 174 Owl, Barn 11 

Lorikeet, Musk 209 Owl, Boobook 11 

Lorikeet, Purple-crowned Owl, Winking 11, 166 

. 8, 10, 209 Owlet-Nightjar . 166 

Lorikeet, Rainbow 209 Oxyura australis 35 

Macronectes giganteus . 141 Oyster-catchcr, Black 21, 140, 159 

M. sp. 142 Oyster-catchcr, Pied 21, 80 

Magpie, Black-backed . 169 Oyster-catcher, Sooty, 21, 140, 159 

Magpie, Western, 14, 66, 169, 213 Pachycepliala lanioides 169 

Magpie-Lark 14, 168 P. mdanura 169 

Major Mitchell 195 P. pectoralis 

Malacorhynchus 13, 25, 26, 27, 159, 213 

membranaceus 35, 163 P . rufiventris, 13, 25, 26, 27, 167 

Mallee-Fowl 9 Pandion haliaetus, 21, 79, 143, 197 

Malums coronatus 184 Pardalote, Red-tipped 


m.elegans . um, 

M. lamberti . . 22, 167 Pardalote, Spotted 178, 213 

M. leuconotus 6, 167 Pardalote, Striated 

M. leucopterus 22 13, 26, 27, 168, 213 

M. pulcherrimus . 12 Pardalotus punctatus 176,213 

A7. splendens . P- substriatus, 13, 26, 27, 168, 213 

. 26, 27, 65, 159, 167, 213 Parrot, Bourkc 165 

Manorhina flavigula 14, 168 Parrot, Elegant 11, 165, 213 
Megalurus gramineus 6, 159 Parrot, Ground 206 

Meliphaga cratitia . 13 Parrot, King 213 

M. leucotis . 13 Parrot, Mulga 11, 165 


220 











Parrot, Port Lincoln . 

. 11, 165, 195, 209, 213 


Parrot, Red-capped 213 

Parrot, Regent 10 

Parrot, Rock 141, 159 

Parrot, Smoker 10 

Parrot, Twentyeight 

. 11, 165, 195, 209, 213 

Pelecanoides exsul . 145 

Pelecanus conspicillatus .... 


Pelican, Australian . 

. 4, 20, 35, 67, 193 

Pelagodroma marina 142, 196 
Peltohyas australis 10, 21, 165 
Penguin, King 146 

Penguin, Little 137, 196 

Petrel, Cape 142 

Petrel, Giant . 142 

Petrel, Great-winged 137 

Petrel, Southern Giant 141 

Petrochelidon nigricans 

6, 11, 159, 166, 213 
Pctroeca cucullata .... 13, 166, 213 
P. goodenovii 13, 22, 166 

P. multicolor 26, 27, 213 

Petrophassa albipennis . 195 

Pczoporus wallicus 206 

Phaethon rubricauda 142 

Phalacrocorax carbo . 4 

P. melanoleucus . 5, 35 

P. sulcirostris 4 

P. varius ... 4, 20, 193, 197, 199 
Pimps chalcoptcra 10, 22, 165 

Phylidonyris albifrons 14, 168 

P. niger .48, 156 

P. novaehollandiae 

. 26, 27, 28, 65, 159, 213 

Pigeon, Crested 10, 65, 165 

Pigeon, Domestic 136, 165 

Pigeon, Flock 195 

Pigeon, Partridge 195 

Pigeon, Red Plumed 174 

Pigeon, White-quilled Rock 195 

Pipit, Australian . 

.... 6, 11, 22, 141, 159, 166, 194 
Platycercus icterotis 10, 159 

Plover, Banded . 

. 5, 10, 21, 143, 164, 175 

Plover, Eastern Golden 5, 80 
Plover, Grey .... 5, 21, 80 

Pluvialis dominica . 5, 80 

P. squatarola 5, 21, 80 

Podargus strigoidcs 11,166, 195 
Podiceps cristatus 35 

P. novaehollandiae, 8, 35, 79, 163 
P. poliocephalus 4, 8, 35, 163 
Poccilodryas superciliosa, 185, 186 
Poephila guttata 23, 168 

Polytelis anthopeplus 10 

Pomatostomus superciliosus 

. 12, 167 

P. temporalis . 167 

Porphyrio porphyrio 5, 35 


Porzana tabuensis . 143 

Pratincole, Australian . 165 

Psephotus varius . 11, 165 

Psophodes nigrogularis, 66, 159 
Pterodroma macroptera .... 137 

Pteropodocys maxima 166 

Puffinus assimilis, 139, 140, 196 

P. carneipes 139, 140 

P. griseus . 142 

P. pacijicus 20, 196 

P. tenuirostris . 142, 203 

Purpureicephalus pileatus .... 213 

Pyrrholaemus brunneus, 65, 167 
Quail 5 

Quail, Little 9, 164 

Quail, Stubble . 9, 124 

Quail-Thrush, Cinnamon 167 
Rainbow-bird 11, 166, 213 

Raven 1, 14, 159, 213 

Recurvi rostra 

novaehollandiae 6, 95, 165 
Redthroat 65, 167 

Redshank 123 

Reed Warbler 35, 159 


Rhipidura fuliginosa 

13, 25, 26, 27, 159, 167, 213 

R. leucophrys . 

. 13,'26, 124, 159, 167, 213 

Robin, Buff-sided 185, 186 

Robin, Hooded 13, 166, 213 
Robin, Red-capped 13, 32, 166 
Robin, Scarlet 26, 27, 213 

Robin, Western Yellow 13, 213 

Robin, White-breasted 159, 213 

Rosella, Western 10, 159 

Sandpiper, Common 6, 21, 165 
Sandpiper, Curlew 6 

Sandpiper, Marsh 175 

Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed 6 

Scrub-bird, Noisy 119, 159 

Scrub-bird. Rufous 120 

Scrub-Robin, Southern 12 

Scrub-Wren, Spotted 

22, 159, 167, 213 
Sericornis maculatus 

. 22, 159, 167, 213 

Shearwater, Little 139. 140, 196 
Shearwater. Fleshy-footed 139, 140 
Shearwater, Short-tailed, 142, 203 
Shearwater, Sooty 142 

Shearwater, Wedge-tailed, 20, 196 
Shoveller 163 

Shrike-Thrush, 

Brown-breasted 195 

Shrike-Thrush. Western 

13. 25, 26, 27, 167, 213 
Silver-eve, Western 

23, 26, 27. 156, 159, 168, 198 


Silver-eye. Yellow 168 

Sittella. Black-capped 27, 167 
Skua, Southern 143 

Smicrornis brevirostris, 12, 25, 213 

Snipe. Pintail . 207 

Song-Lark, Brown 6, 12, 167 


221 





Song-Lark, Rufous 167 Tree-creeper, Rufous 27, 213 

Sparrow-Hawk, Collared 9, 164 Tree-creeper, White-browed 167 

Sphenostoma cristatum 80, 167 Trichoglossus moluccanus 209 

Spincbill, Western 48, 159, 213 Triller, White-winged 166, 203 
Spinifex-bird 80, 167 Tringa brevipes 80 

Squeaker 14, 213 T. hypoleuca 6, 21, 165 

Sterna anaethetus T. nebularia 6, 80 

. 66, 190, 198, 199 T. stagnatilis . 175 

S. bengalensis .... 190, 192 T. totanus . 123 

S. bergii . 6, 22, 80, Tropic-bird, Red-tailed 142 

143, 159, 190, 192, 198, 199 Turnix velox 9, 164 

S. dougalli 190 Turnstone 21, 80, 197 

S. fuscata 190 Turtledove, Indian . 175 

S. nereis . 6, 143 Turtledove, Laughing 175 

S. striata . 143 Turtledove, Senegal 175 

Stilt, Banded 94, 114 Turtledove, Spotted 175 

Stilt, White-headed, 6, 10, 22, 165 Twentyeight 11, 165 

Stiltia isabella 165 Tyto . 85 

Stint, Little . 6 Tyto alba . 11 

Stint, Red-necked 6 Vanellus tricolor 143,175 

Stipiturus malachurus .... 22, 159 Wagtail, White . 64 

Stone-Curlew, Southern 10, 22 Wagtail, Willy 

Storm-Petrel, Sooty 192 13, 26, 124, 159, 167, 213 

Storm-Petrel, White-faced Warbler, Dusky 169 

. 142, 196 Warbler, Large-billed . 195 

Strepera versicolor 14, 213 Warbler, Reed .... 159 

Streptopclia chincnsis 175 Warbler, Western, 12, 26, 167, 213 

S. senegalensis . 175 Wattle-bird, Little, 48, 156, 213 

Sula dactylalra 189, 191 Wattle-bird, Red 14 

S. leucogaster 79, 189, 191 Wedgebill 167 

Swallow, Welcome Weebill 12, 25, 213 

6, 11, 22, 26, 27, 80, 141, 159 Whimbrel, Little 6 

Swallow, White-backed 11, 166 Whipbird, Western 66, 159 

Swamphen, Western 3, 35 Whistler, Golden 


. 5, 8, 123, 197 ’ .... 13, 25, 26, 27, 167 

Taeniopygia castanotis 23, 168 Whistler, White-breasted 169 

Tattler, Grey-tailed 80 Whiteface, Banded . 167 

Teal, Grey 5, 8, 35, 79, 163 Whiteface, Southern 167 

Tern, Black 61 Wood-Swallow, Black-faced 

Tern, Bridled, 66, 190, 198, 199 14, 23, 168 

Tern, Caspian, 6, 22. 194, 197, 199 Wood-Swallow, Dusky 213 

Tern, Crested 6, 22, Wood-Swallow, Masked 168 

80, 143, 159, 190, 192, 198, 199 Wood-Swallow, Little, 63, 65, 174 

Tern, Fairy 6, 143 Wood-Swallow, 

Tern, Lesser Crested 190 White-breasted 168 

Tern, Roseate 190 Wood-Swallow, White-browed 168 

Tern, Sooty 190 Wren, Banded Blue 

Tern, Whiskered 165 26, 27, 65, 159, 167, 213 

Tern, White-fronted 143 Wren, Black-and-white 22 

Thornbill, Broad-tailed Wren, Blue-and-white 6, 167 

12, 25, 26, 27, 159, 167, 213 Wren, Blue-breasted 12 

Thornbill, Brown . 27 Wren, Pied 22 

Thornbill, Chestnut-rumped Wren, Purple-crowned 185 

. 12, 167 Wren, Red-winged 213 

Thornbill, Little 27 Wren, Splendid . 

Thornbill. Samphire 169 26, 27, 65, 159, 167, 213 

Thornbill, Yellow-rumped Wren, Variegated 22, 167 

12, 26, 27 Wren, White-winged 6, 167 

Threskiornis spinicollis 5, 163 Zonaeginthns oculatus 159 

Tree-Martin, 6, 11, 159, 166, 213 Z. pictus 64, 80 

Tree-creeper, Black-tailed 168 Zonifer tricolor, 5, 18, 21, 164, 175 


222 











Zosterops gouldi . 

23, 26, 27, 156, 159, 168, 198 
Z. lute a .... 168 

REPTILES 

Aipysurus duboisii 129 

A. laevis . 129 

A mphibolurus caudicinctus 

126, 130, 131, 133, 134 
A. inermis 163 

A. maculatus 163 

A. minor 127, 130, 133, 163 

A. reticulatus .20, 163 

A. scutulatus .... 163 

Carlia tricantha 127, 133 

Chelodina oblonga 42 

Chelonia depressa . 126 

C. my das . 126 


Cryptoblepharus carnabyi 

. 127, 131, 133, 135 


Ctenotus fallens . 

. 127, 130, 131, 133 

C. grandis 127, 130, 133, 135 

C. mimetes . 163 

C. piankai . 127, 130 

C. pantherinus . 

127, 130, 131, 133, 134, 135, 163 
C. serventyi, 127, 131, 133, 135 

C. wotjulum . 128 

Delma borea . 126, 133, 135 

D. nasuta 126, 130, 133 

D. tincta 26, 130, 131, 133 

Demansia modesta 163 

D. nuchalis . 163 

D. psammophis reticulata 

. 20, 129, 133, 163 

Denisonia monachus 163 

Diplodactylus pulcher 163 

D. spinigerus 20, 163 

D. squarrosus . 163 

D. stenodactylus 126, 133 

D. taeniatus 126, 130, 133, 134 

Egernia depressa 163 

E. kingii . 137 

E. nitida . 137 

E. stokesii 146, 163 

Emydocephalus annulata 129 
Furina christeana 129, 133, 135 
G ehyra punctata . 

126, 130, 131, 133 

G. variegata, 126, 130, 131, 133 

Hemiergis peronii 137 

Heteronota bynoei . 

20, 126, 130, 131, 133 

Lerista bipes 127, 130, 133 

L. elegans 127, 133, 135 

L. muelleri 127, 130, 133 

L. praepedita 20 

Lialis burtonis 

... 126, 130, 132, 133, 135 
Li a sis childreni 128, 130, 163 
Menetia greyii . 128 


Moloch horridus . 163 

Nephrurus laevis occidentalis 

20, 163 

Norethia lineoocellata 

. 127, 131, 133, 135 

N. taeniopleura, 128, 130, 131, 133 
Notoscincus ornatus 

. 128, 130, 131, 133 

Omolepida branchialis 

. 128, 130, 133, 135 

Phyllodactylus marmoratus 137 

Physignathus gilberti 

127, 130, 133, 135 

Proablepharus reginae . 

128, 130, 132, 133, 135 

Pseudechis australis . 

20, 129, 133, 135 
Pxgopus nigriceps 

. 126, 131, 133, 163 

Sphenomorphus isole pis 

128, 130, 133, 135 

S. richardsonii . 

128, 130, 131, 133, 134 


Tiliqua occipitalis 163 

Trachysaurus rugosus, 91, 163, 169 

Typhlina australis . 163 

T. diversa 128, 131, 133 

T. nigroterminata 163 

Varanus ?acanthurus 

128, 130, 133, 135 

V. caudolineatus . 163 

V. eremius .... 163 

V. giganteus, 128, 130, 131, 133 

V. gouldii 163 

Vermicella bertholdi 

littoralis . 20 

V . semifasciata approximans 
. 129, 133 


AMPHIBIA 

Litoria rubella . 162 

Neobatrachus centralis . 162 

N. wilsmorei . 162 


FISHES 


Apogon ruppellii . 3 

Blowfish . 3 

Bostockia porosa 71, 108 

Cnidoglanis megastoma .... 3 

Cobbler . 3 

Cobbler, freshwater 108 

Edelia vittata 108 

Gambusia affinis . 1 

Gobbleguts . 3 

Mugil cephalus . 3 

Mullet . 3 

Pipe fish 3 

Pristiophorus leichhardti 69 

Spheroides pleurogramnui 3 

Tandanus bostocki 108 


223 















INSECTA 

Anapheis java . 49 

Aphaenogaster barbigula 204 

Apis mellifera 199 

Canadalides acastus 49 

C. hyacinthinus 49 

Danaus chryssipus petilia 

. 49, 184 

D. plexippus 183 

Desmometopa 96 

Exoneura 48 

Graphium eurypylus 

nyctimus 64 

Halictusurbanus 49 

Harpobittacus similis 17 

lleteronymplxa nierope 

duboulayi . 49 

Neolucia agricola 49 

Phellus spiliferns 148 

Stigmodera (Themognatha) 

tibialis . 147 

Taractrocera papyria 49 

Thinnidae 48 

Vanessa itea 49 

V. kershawi 16, 49 

ARACHNIDA 

Araneus transmarinus . 96 

Lycosa salijodina 204 

Nephila . 96 

Teyl Inch lent us 73 

CRUSTACEA 

Cherax quinquecarinatus 108 

Jilgie . 108 

Palaemonetes australis 108 

Par arte mi a 94 

Prawn, School 3 

MOLLUSCA 

Anadara . 93 

Anticorbula amara 100 

Austropepla lessoni 87 

A. tomentosa . 87 

Coxiella glabra . 101 

Ferrissia pet ter di 103 

Fragum bannoi . 80 

Lymnaea columella 87 

L. stagnalis . 87 

Physa .... 102 

Physastra 103 

Plotiopsis australis 102 

Potamopyrgus . 101 

Rhagada convicta 80 

Themapura 80 

Tutu]a buba . 80 

T. rubeta 80 

Westralunia carteri 99 

PLATYHELMINTHES 

Fasciola hepatic a . 87 


PLANTS 

A belia . 184 

A butiIon 184 

Abutilon oxycarpum 19, 45 

Acacia sp. . 162 

A. acuminata . 44 

A. alata 215 

A. aneura . 144 

A. binervosa . 129 

A. coriacea . 129 

A, cuthbertsonii . 162 

A. cyanophylla . 2, 27, 44 

A. decipiens 158 

A. diver gens . 215 

A. drummondii . 215 

A. ?externa 215 

A. gilbertii . 215 

A. graffiana . 7 

A. heteroclita 158 

A. kempeana . 144 

A. lasiocalyx . 44 

A. linophylla . 162 

A. merrallii . 7 

A. microbo/rya . 44 

A. multispicata . 7 

A. pulchella . 91, 215 

A. quadrimarginea 162 

A. saligna . 91 

A. schlerosperma . 162 

A. tetragonophylla 162 

A. victoriae . 162 

Adenanthos barbigera . 214 

A. meissneri . 214 

A. obovata . 214 

Adriana tomentosa . 162 

Ageratum . 184 

Agonis flexuosa . 91, 158 

A. parviceps 216 

Alyxia buxifolia . 45 

Ammophila arenaria 158 

Anagallis arvensis . 158 

Andersonia caerulea . 216 

A . longifolia 216 

A. sprengelioides 136 

Angianthus tomentosus 45 

Anguillaria dioica . 15 

Aotus villosa . 215 

A pi urn prostratum 158 

Arctotheca calendula 16 

A. populifolia 158 

Aristida browniana 162 

A. con tort a . 45 

Arthrocnemum bidens . 1 

A. halocnemoides . 3 

Asclepias curassavica 184 

A. fruticosa 184 

A starte heteranthera 1 

Astroloma epacris 216 

A triplex paludosa 151 

Banksia attenuata 214 

B. grandis 91, 172, 214 

B. ilicifolia 51, 214 

B. littoralis 158 

B. sphaerocarpa . 214 


224 







































Bassia . 210 C. virgatum . 215 

Beaufortia micrantha . 7 C. volubile . 7, 215 

B. sparsa . 216 Conospermum acerosum, 213, 214 

Billardiera varifolia . 215 C. caeruleum . 214 

Boronia alata . 136, 158 C. flexuosum . 214 

B. crenulata . 215 C. teretifolium . 214 

B . spathulata . 215 Conostephium pendulum .... 216 

B. ?ternata .... 215 Conostylis . 214 

Bossiaea ornata 215 C. aculeatus 27 

Brachycome cheilocarpa 162 Cotula sp. 158 

B. ciliaris . 15 Craspedia uniflora 216 

B. ibcridifolia . 19, 45 Crussula siekerana . 16 

B. latisquamea . 19 Crowea angustifolia 215 

Brachyloma concolor . 7 Cryptostemma caligula . 216 

Briza maxima . 45 Cymbopogon ambiguus 45 

B. minima . 45 Dahlia . 184 

Brunonia australis . 45 Dampiera cuneata . 216 

Buddleia . 184 D. lavandulacea 45 

Burchardia umbellata . 214 D. sacculata . 216 

Cakile maritimei . 158 D. wellsiana . 7 

Caladenia cairnsiana 7 Darwinia acerosa 48 

C. deformis . 214 D. carnea . 48 

C. dilatata . 214 D. citriodora 48, 213, 216 

C. filamentosa . 7, 45 D. collina . 48 

C. flava . 214 D. diasmoides . 48 

C. latifolia 214 D. helichrysoides . 48 

C. liana 214 D. hypericifolia . 48 

C. patersonii 214 D. macrostegia . 46 

C. roei . 7 D. meeholdii 48 

C. saccharata . 7 D. meissneri . 48 

Calectasia cyanea . 17 D. nielandia . 48 

Calocephalus brownii 136, 158 D.oederoides . 48 

Calothamnus gracilis 216 D. oldfieldii . 48 

C. sanguineus . 216 D. pauciflora . 48 

Calotis hispidula . 15 D. pimelioides . 48 

Calotropis . 184 D. pinifolia . 48 

Calythrix ?brachyphylla 1 D. polycephala . 48 

C. flavescens 216 D. purpurea . 48 

C. variabilis . 216 D. repens . 48 

Carpobrotus aequilaterus 136 D. rhadinophylla 48 

C. rossi . 158 D. sanguinea 48 

Cassia spp. 162 D. speciosa 48 

C. pleurocarpa 44 Darwinia squarrosci . 48 

Cassytha sp. 158 D. thymoides . 48 

Casuarina sp. 136, 158 D. verticordia 48 

C. acutivalvis . 7, 45 D. vestita 46, 213, 216 

C. drummondiana . 214 D. virescens . 48 

C. fraseriana . 214 Daviesia alternifolia . 215 

C. hu mills . 214 D. cor data . 215 

C. obesa . 3 D. poly phyla 215 

Ccphalipterum drummondii 162 D. quadrilatera . 215 

Cladophora . 172 Dillwynia uncinata . 215 

Clematis aristata 215 Diplolaena angustifolia .... 156 

C. pubescens . 91 D. drummondii 156 

Chaetomorpha linum 172 D. grandiflora 19, 156, 157 

Chamelaucium D. microcephala 156 

megalopetalum . 7 Diuris purdiei . 214 

Chenopodium album 16 Dodonaea attenuatei 44 

C. glauctim . 2 Dasypogon bromelifolius 214 

C. melanocarpum 16 D. hookeri 213, 214 

Chorilaena quercifolia . Drosera gigantea 215 

136, 156, 157 D. macrantha 1 

Chorizema eliversifolium 215 D. stolonifera . 91 

Comesperma scoparium 215 Drummondita hassellii . 7 


225 







































Dryandra . 7 H. recurva . 45 

D. bipinnatifida 214 H. ruscifolia . 214 

D. cuneata . 158 //. scoparia 145 

D. formosa 213, 214 //. sulcata 201 

D. nivea . 214 Halgania littoralis . 19 

Elythranthera brunonis 214 Hardetibergia comptoniana 27 

E. marginata 214 Helichrysum sp. 16 

Enchylaena . 45 //. ambigutim 45 

Enteromorpha 172 H. bracteatum . 216 

Eragrostis dielsii . 16 //. lindleyi . 45 

Eremophila sp. 142 Helipterum splendidum 162 

E. drummondii 7, 45 //. spleat urn . 45 

E. fraseri ... 162 Hibbertia 158, 216 

E. glabra . 19 //. cuneifortnis 136, 158 

E. woodwardii 162 //. exasperata . 7 

Eriachne ovata 45 //. lasiopus . 216 

Eriobotrya 184 //. hypericoides 216 

Eriostemon spicatus 215 //. perfoliata . 216 

Erodium cicutarium . 15 //. vaginata 216 

Exocarpus aphyllus . 7 Hovea elliptica 215 

Eryngium pinnatifidum 17 f/. trisperma . 215 

Euphorbia drummondii 15 Hybanthus floribundus 216 

Eucalyptus calophylla . Hypoculymma angustifolium 216 

. 51, 91, 172, 200, 216 //. robustum . 216 

E. diversicolor 29 Hypochoeris radicata 216 

E. eremophila 7 Isoetopsis graminiflora . 15 

D. foecunda . 147 Isopogon sphaerocephalus 215 

E. gomphocephala 91 Isotoma hypocrateriformis 45 

E. haematoxylon 211,216 /. petraea . 44 

E. incrassata 1 Isotropis juncea . 45 

E. longicornis 1 Jacksonia furcellata 91 

E. marginata 51. 158, 216 J. horrida . 158 

E. microtheca 162 Jasminum calcereum 19 

E. oldfieldi 7 Johnsonia lupulina . 214 

E. platypus . 66 J uncus . 158 

E. rudis . 27, 28 Kennedya coccinea 215 

E. salmonophloia . 7 K. stirlingii . 215 

E. salubris . 7 Kingia australis . 214 

E. wandoo 1 Kochia . 162 

Glischrocaryon aureus . 216 K. lobiflora 15 

Glycyrrhiza acanthocarpa .... 41 Kunzea pulchella 44 

Gompholobium burtonioides 215 K. recurva 216 

G. knightianum 215 Labichea punctata 215 

G. ovaturn 215 Lagenophora stipitata 216 

G. tomentosum 215 Lantana 184 

G. venustum . 215 Lasiopetalum acutiflorum 215 

Goode nia caerulea 216 Le pi ilium . 16 

Gossypium robinsonii 129 Lepidosperma angustatum 

Grevillea brachystylis, 213, 214 158, 214 

G. hookeriana 1 L. gladiatum . 158 

Grevillea leptobotrya 214 Leptomeria cunninghamii 215 

G. manglesioides 214 Leptospermum . 17 

G. quercifolia 214 L. ellipticum . 216 

G. shuttleworthiana 1 L. firmum . 216 

G. paniculata 45 Leschenaultia biloba 216 

Hakea ambigua 214 L. formosa . 7 

H. amplexicaulis . 214 Leucopogon australis 216 

H. ceratophylla 214 L. dielsianus . 7 

H. coriacea 1 L. parvifloras . 158, 216 

H.cyclocarpa 214 L. revolutus 136, 159 

11, falcata 1 L. verticillatus 216 

H. lasiantha 214 L, woodsii . 7 

H. lorea . 129, 144 Levenhookia pusilla 216 

H. platysperma 1 Lobelia . 216 


226 








































L. alata . 158 

Logania campanulata . 216 

Lomandra . 214 

Loxocarya flexuosa 158, 214 

Lyperanthus nigricans 214 

L. serratus . 214 

Lysiana casuarinae 162 

Lysinema ciliatum . 216 

Macrozamia reidlei .... 159, 214 

Malva . 15 

Marianthus Candidas . 215 

Melaleuca . 158, 216 

M. julgens . 44 

M. lanceolata 136 

M. radula . 45 

M. unci nut a . 162 

Melampsora larici-populina 199 

Melilotus indica . 215 

Mesomelaena tetragona .... 214 

Micromyrtus imbricata 7 

Mirbelia dilatata . 215 

M. floribunda . 7 

Mitrasacme paradoxa 216 

Muehlenbeckia adprcssa 64, 158 

Nicotiana goodspeedii . 15 

N. rotundifolia . 44 

Nuytsia floribunda, 50, 201, 215 

Olearia axillaris . 151, 158 

O. muelleri . 7 

Ompholappula concava 16 

Orthrosanthus laxus 214 

Oxalis corniculala . 15 

Oxylobium . 158 

Patersonia Occident alis 214 

P. umbrosa . 214 

P. xanthina . 214 

Persoonia elliptica 215 

P. longifolia . 215 

Petalostyles . 129 

Petrophile diversifolia 215 

P. linearis 215 

P . serruriae . 215 

P. squamata . 215 

P. striata . 215 

Phebalium filifolia . 7 

P. tuberculosum . 7 

Phlegmatospermum 

cochlearinum . 16 

Phyllanthus calycinus . 215 

Pileanthus limacis . 20 

Pimelea angustifolia 7, 49 

P. clavata . 154 

Pimelea erruginea 49 

P. haemostachya . 49 

P. physodes . 46 

P. rosea . 46, 216 

P. spectabilis 49, 216 

P. suaveolens .49, 216 

P. sulphurea 49 

P. sylvestris . 7, 49 

Pinus pinaster . 172 

Pittosporum phyllyraeoides, 20, 45 
Pityrodia atriplicina 20 

P. bertlingii . 216 


Platysace compressa . 216 

P. tenuissima . 216 

Platytheca verticillata . 215 

Poa australis . 158 

Podocarpus drouynianus .... 214 

Podolepis canescens 45 

P. lessonii . 17, 45 

Podotheca gnathalioides 45 

Poinsettia 184 

Populus nigra .... 199 

Polypompholyx multijida 216 

Poranthera . 215 

Ptilotus spathulatus 45 

Pterostylis recurva . 214 

P. vittata . 7, 214 

Pultenaea andrewsii . 215 

Rhagodia baccata . 159 

R. obovata 151 

Ricinocarpus velutinus 45 

Ruppia maritima . 172 

Salicornia australis . 1 

S. quinqueflora 158 

Salsola kali . 151 

Samolus re pens . 158 

Santalum spicatum . 45 

Scaevola nitida 158 

S. striata 216 

Schoenia cassiniana . 45 

Scirpus maritimus . 1 

S. nodosus . 158 

Sida calyxhymenia 45 

Solarium 162 

S. nigrum . 45 

Sollya heterophylla 158 

Sonchus oleraceus . 158 

Sphaerolobium macranthum 215 

S. medium . 215 

S. racemulosum . 215 

S. vimineum . 215 

Sphenotoma capitatum 216 

Spinifex hirsutus 158 

S. longifolius . 

.... 127, 129, 151, 189, 191 

Spyridium globulosum 158 

Stackhouseia brunonis 215 

S. huegellii 215 

Staphelia grandiflora 184 

S. variegata , 184 

Stenopetalum (infraction 168 

S. linear e ........ 15 

Stirlingia latifolia 213, 215 

.V. teretifolia . 215 

Stylidium caespitosum . 216 

S. calcaratum 216 

S. aff. dichotomum . 216 

5. glaucum - . 216 

S. repens . 216 

S. scandens . 216 

S. schoenicies . 216 

Stylobasium spathulatum .... 162 

Stypandra imbricata 44 

Suaeda australis . 2 

Swainsona cam pestr is . 15 

Synaphea . 7 


227 





































S. favosa . 213, 215 

S. petiolaris . 215 

S. preissii . 215 

Tetragonia . 16 

Tctratheca setigera 215 

Teucrium racemosum 162 

Thelymitra antennifera 214 

T. crinata . 214 

Thomasia grandiflora 215 

Threlkeldia diffusa 158 

Thryptomene baeckeacea 20 

7\ kochii . 7 

Thysatiotus multiflorus 214 

T. thrysoideus . 214 

Trachymenex pilosa . 216 

Tranzoschelia pruni-spinosae 200 
Trichiniutn polystachyuni 45 

Trichoglochin calcitrapa 16 

Triodia angusta 128, 129, 133 
T. plurinervosa 153 

T. wisceana 131 

Trisetum pumilum . 15 

Trymalium ledifolium 215 

Ursinia anthemoides 45 

Velleia trinervis . 216 

Verticordia acerosa . 7 

V. chrysantha . 7 

V. insignis . 7 

V. plumosd . 136 

Waitzia acuminata 45 

W. aurea . 45 

Westringia rigida . 20 

Xanthorrhoea gracilis 214 

X. preissii . 158, 214 

Xylomelum occidentale .... 215 

Xyris . . 213, 214 

Zantedeschia aethiopica 136 

Zinnia 184 

Zostera . 151 

Zygophyllum ovatum 15 


AUTHOR INDEX 

Abbott, lan 158, 196 

Akerman, K. 206 

Barker, S. 148 

Baverstock, P. R. 149 

Blurton, B. 88 

Bridge, P. J. 24, 85 

Brooker, M. G. 160 

Burbidge, A. A. 145 

Bush, T. E. 189 

Butler, W. H. 78, 194 

Chalmer, P. N. 87 

Christensen, P. . 32 

Corfe, B. 209 

Davies, S. J. J. F. 177 

Dell, B. 172, 183, 199 

de Rebeira, C. P. S. 177 

Emory, K. 34 

Estbergs, A. J. 63, 160 

Fewster, A. 145 


Fullagar, P. J. 136 

Garstone, R. 206 

Gobel, T. 50 

Goodale, Bob. 206 

Hussey, B. M. J. 14, 211 

Inns, R. . 148 

Jacobs, S. 61 

Jenkins, C. F. H. 94, 123 

Johnstone, R. E. 

60, 145, 185, 203, 207 

Keast, A. . 25 

Keasl, D. 205 

Keighery, G. J. . 

. 17, 46, 81, 156, 183 

Kendrick, G. W. 87, 97 

Knight, T. A. . 177 

Koch, L. E. 183, 204 

Kolichis, N. . 114, 191 

Lambert, G. L. 34 

Lamont, Byron . 201 

Lane, S. G. 203 

Lantzke, 1. R. 34 

Linstead, G. 62, 203 

Lodge, G. A. 146, 189 

Main, B. Y. 73 

McKenzie, N. L. 145 

McMillan, R. P. 96, 173, 204 

Millard, M. T. 145 

Mills, M. B. . 24, 44 

Mitchell, R. C. 66 

Mueller, 0. 62 

Nankivell, R. 147 

Nicholls, C. A. 205 

Nicholson, D. 42 

Osborne, F. 34 

Palmer, K. 92 

Pfitzncr, G. H. . 177 

Randolph, P. 88 

Reid, D. . 174, 175 

Robinson, A. C. 149 

Robinson, F. N. 66, 119 

Robinson, J. F. 149 

Sedgwick, E. H. 

7, 62, 65, 174, 175, 176 

Sedgwick, L. E. 123, 174, 208 

Serventy, D. L. 29, 67, 68 

Saunders, D. A. 171 

Smith, F. G. . 90 

Smith, G. G. 29 

Smith, G. T. 119 

Smith, L. A. 125, 185 

Smithers, C. N. 16 

Spence, T. . 205 

Storr, G. M. 

60, 64, 145, 203, 207 

Tarburton, M. K. 1, 123 

Thorpe, A. G. . 205 

van Tets, G. F. 136 

Watts, C. H. S. 149 

Webster, H. 0. 65 

Wells, A. G. 19, 209 

Wells, B. A. 19, 209 

Whitfield, G. B. 37 


228 










































wctoria